Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago

Warren Buffet, one of the most successful investors in history, wrote "someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." This simple saying is held at the core of those who succeed in life, and considered a fable by those who will continue to struggle. It is something that the young people of our nation, a group I belong to, fails to recognize despite its tremendous ability to help us shape the future of our country. More so than ever, we chastise those who have built wealth for themselves, who have planted the tree a long time ago. The focus is on taking from those who have and sharing with the have-nots, rather than amassing wealth to distribute themselves.

Our political climate resembles that of a middle school classroom, where the few smart, hard-working kids are teased and pushed around for excelling in class, to the point where more of the once-intelligent students slack off to "fit in". As a result, the one who succeeds is isolated further, with the gap between grades becomes wider and wider.

The middle class dissolves because of this prepubescent mindset persisting through the minds of the working population. Those who persevere and stay true to their core beliefs may make it to the upper class, despite increased regulation and social hardship. Those who leech off the system, working the minimum or not at all, weigh down the less-determined individuals.

Human nature dictates that we never want to be to blame for a problem, so our first reaction is to point a finger. We, as a country, need to understand that the problem does not lie only with "the 1%". Although there is much to be done on that front, there is a lot more that can be done by the other 99%. For one, we can emphasize the importance of education. Not the kind of education that requires encumbering debt. But read books on being financially literate. Learn a skill that you can apply. Help others achieve their potential. We live in a time where information is readily available at the click of a button, and relatively inexpensive to acquire. The only cost is time and motivation.

We live in a country in which the trees that provide us with shade are dying. The generation(s) before us have had the luxury of enjoying much of it. Our generation needs to understand that there are trees to plant. There is strength in numbers and power in knowledge, all things that we need to ensure the continuation of our prosperous country. Let's get planting.