In 1993 one of the biggest hits was a song called “Working Man’s Ph.D.” sung by Aaron Tippin. Aaron Tippin has the most colorful biography of all the country-western singers I know, including a commercial airline pilot, pipefitter, truck driver, welder, farmhand, and songwriter and singer. The lyrics for the song “Working Man’s Ph.D.” form the backbone to the point of this article and as a means of honoring those who have well-earned their working man’s Ph.D.
You get up every morning ‘fore the sun comes up
Toss a lunchbox into a pickup truck
A long, hard day, sure ain’t much fun
But you’ve gotta get it started if you wanna get it done
You set your mind and roll up your sleeves
You’re workin’ on a working man’s Ph.D
Consider the following line especially, “you’ve gotta get it started if you wanna get it done; You set your mind and roll up your sleeves.” How many times has grit been the only determining factor between starting and finishing a project? Starters are many, but enders are few. Those are the two elements for success, and every working man knows the recipe. Get your mindset and start by rolling up your sleeves. Preparation is key to finishing strong.
Now, cast your mind to those who have never learned how to be a working man. They have no grit, no ability to make up their minds, and cannot stand up to adversity and spit in adversity’s eyes. Yet, they talk a good line. They want you to think they know. But the lines on their brow and the lack of callouses on their hands tell another story entirely.
Take a moment and consider your first blister. Do you remember how you earned it? Do you remember what you were doing the first time you felt that sting? I do. My first blister turned into my first and most lasting callous. I was hoeing a row of peas in a garden; I was six. I was told that a blister from working is the mark of a man learning how to work. I earned that blister on a hoe handled that had been wrapped in duct tape to prevent splinters. After that row of peas, there was a row of corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and lawns to mow. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and sore, the blister was bloody, and I learned how to treat blisters so you could go to work the next day.
Let me tell you a secret; I love that blister and callous! I have burned that callous on many a stove and pan. I have cut that callous on several knives and received no injury. I have softened that callous while wrestling sheep in a shearing pen. I have milked cows and goats to the cows and goats’ misfortune with that callous. That callous has taught me many a lesson, including how to get a blister under a callous. In the middle of a cold winter, while splitting wood, that callous kept my hands sticking to the steel of the handle on the splitting maul. That maul handle had been replaced so many times that my father had taken the splitting maul to work and replaced the wood with ½” steel tubing. It heaviest splitting maul I ever used, but I never broke that handle off!
With your heart in your hands and the sweat on your brow
You build the things that really make the world go around
If it works, if it runs, if it lasts, for years
You bet your bottom dollar; it was made right here
With pride, honor, and dignity
From a man with a working man’s Ph.D
Consider something with me, think about your hardest task completed; what did you learn about “pride, honor, and dignity” about accomplishing that task? Hard work taught you a lesson that ease and prosperity could never teach. Lessons that you cannot pass along to another person except by teaching them the joys and pleasures of task accomplishment and hard work. Yet, in the world today, so many want to look down on hard work, and this is a thought process that needs reversing.
I screwed up. I admit this freely. I took some money for raking my neighbor’s lawn and did a poor job. My neighbor fired me; she was right to do so. I felt so disgusted with myself for taking money and not delivering a good job, I went over and finished that job over my neighbors’ objections. I shoveled her snow for free that year. I did everything I could to discharge the debt I owed to this woman for teaching me that there is no honor, dignity, and pride in a job not done well.
My wife the other day asked me why I don’t quit jobs I have undertaken. She doesn’t understand the lessons I have learned; I cannot do a poor job. I cannot commit to doing a job and give less than my full potential and all of my talents, skills, and abilities. Even when it means I am surrounded by enemies in a hostile environment where my life is constantly threatened. I have to give it everything I have; I owe this debt to my neighbor that must be serviced. I have earned a working man’s Ph.D. as well as a couple of master’s degrees from the school of hard knocks; I owe too much to those who have taught me to forget these lessons.
Now there ain’t no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I’d like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin’ their weight
If you wanna cram course in reality
You get yourself a working man’s Ph.D
There is a truth in these simple words, I wish to convey in the soberest words possible, “there ain’t no shame in a job well done.” There is no end of shame to a job poorly done. Consider the current president; why does the common person, those of us carrying working man Ph.D.’s, scorn the president? Why did the common person, those carrying working man Ph.D.’s, heap praise on President Trump? The simple truth and reality in the sentiment, “there ain’t no shame in a job well done,” but there is no end of shame in a job poorly done. Use any other person you care to name, John Wayne and Kim Kardashian, who gets the stain and who gets the praise of a job well and poorly done? President Reagan and Nancy Pelosi? Michael Jackson and Mother Teresa?
The job doesn’t matter, driving nails, driving trucks, nursing babies, keeping a house, accountant, pipefitting, welder, buyer, etc., what matters is how well the job is completed. Do you take the job and do it well or poorly? For if you do it poorly, there is nothing but eternal shame, the work itself will always testify of your performance, and people will speak of your incompetence. Do it well, to the best of your abilities; even if a scoreboard might proclaim you are a loser, you have won victory and honor, pride, and dignity that can never be taken from you. How you perform the task is the deciding factor, not the job, not the task, not the scores and the statistics, your performance of the task’s duties.
When the quittin’ whistle blows and the dust settles down
There ain’t no trophies or cheering crowds
You’ll face yourself at the end of the day
And be damn proud of whatever you’ve made
Can’t hang it on the wall for the world to see
But you’ve got yourself a working man’s Ph.D
The hardest lesson I learned in the US Army was how to shave without looking at myself in the mirror. Then I had to learn how to live with my mistakes to shave and look myself in the eye. Right there and then, I learned the lesson contained in the following lines, “You’ll face yourself at the end of the day; And be damn proud of whatever you’ve made.” In junior high school, I read Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary,” and the following quote stuck in my mental craw. It comes out often to teach me more lessons.
“The soil of a man’s heart is stony ground. A man grows what he can, and he tends it. ’Cause what you buy, is what you own. And what you own… always comes home.”
Hard work teaches hard lessons, but the lessons learned are worth more than gold and diamonds, and I wouldn’t trade a single lesson learned for all the money in the world and all the fame in Hollywood. Of all the degrees and titles I have acquired in this world, or will acquire, the only one I ever want is that of “Hard worker,” for that single title says it all. When the chips and markers are counted at the end of life, I want to be found pulling my weight. I might be disabled, I might be stubborn as a Missouri Mule with a mean streak a mile wide, but I want to be found pulling my weight.
Now there ain’t no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I’d like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin’ their weight
If you wanna cram course in reality
You get yourself a working man’s Ph.D
My deepest thanks to Aaron Tippin for his example and his incredible talent as a singer and person. I have met many military people who sing Aaron Tippin’s praises, and I am very grateful for the talent shared. May I encourage you to consider how well your studies are progressing on your “Working Man’s Ph.D.”
© 2021 M. Dave Salisbury
All Rights Reserved
The images used herein were obtained in the public domain; this author holds no copyright to the images displayed.
Poerksen is not mentioned to sell his book, although it is an excellent read. Poerksen is mentioned because, during the Obama presidency, modular language’s tyrannical actions took an enormous leap. Words never before plasticized began to be stretched to describe all sorts of things they do not fit. For example, Speaker Pelosi called Veterans of the United States “Terrorists” and used this label to weaponize the government against veterans. We all should remember the day a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich became racist and was removed from millions of sandwich lovers’ diets.
Thus, this article aims to provide you, the reader, with a clear, distinct definition for the term patriotism. That patriotism continues to be plasticized to cover the work of terrorists who are burning, rioting, looting, and destroying America remains a consideration of great importance. The first job of any American who desires to retain their liberty and freedom is to learn.
While my answer might not be your answer, our combined answer will strengthen those who desire to become patriots. I gladly shoulder the title patriot because America is me, and I am American! I am a veteran by the grace of God; but, I am an American because my fathers and mothers came here from foreign lands so I could have the opportunity! I am a patriot by choice; there is not another country on earth like America. After traveling ¾’s of the way around the world, I would not live anywhere else. I am a patriot by conviction; I firmly believe the world is better with America, with all her myriad of faults than without America.
America is hope for the war-torn refugee! America is the bread provider for the famished! America is the “Shining city on a hill,” as referenced by President Reagan. I know America is worth fighting for, keeping, and renewing through the “Rule of Law.”
Too often people are confusing democracy, democratic governance, and the American Republic. Talking heads in the media get this wrong all the time. Hollywood has never gotten the distinction correct, ever. But, this ignorance might be by design as Hollywood has always been a breeding ground for disinformation, propaganda, and elitist posturing. Regardless of the political party, or lack of political party, every American citizen should be able to recognize Democracy from Republican styles of governance. The following uses real events to help distinguish the line.
For example, The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), recently sent a report regarding an investigation of Peter Shelby, the previous VA Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration (HR&A), who steered a $5 million contract for the benefit of individuals with whom he had a personal relationship. This is a prime example of democracy in action. The person in charge had to pay for the simple majority that kept him in power. Consider the following direct consequences of Mr. Shelby’s actions.
The American Public has witnessed the same political gamesmanship (realpolitik) in the US House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Presidency, for a long time. All because, the line between a Republic and a Democracy has been intentionally blurred by those in power, to stay in power. Never does realpolitik benefit the rule of law, or provide equality as a basic and fundamental position of governance. Bringing into the conversation the critical quality of genetic behavior and the exponential growth of behavior from one generation to the next. If Mr. Shelby’s actions can be traced upwards through the behavior of elected officials; how many more unethical behaviors are hiding inside the government workforce waiting for their opportunity to practice realpolitik at the expense of the veterans, taxpayers, and citizenry of America?
In a republic, those in power recognize the genetic nature of their behavior, understand that any lapses in good judgment are dangerous, and work to live in a manner that first allows for equality among all. Even if they must tell another person no. Consider how much corruption is in Washington, D.C., and every state capital in America, all because the simple majority has lured good people into acting against their principles, against the Republican form of American governance, and against the law established and maintained by the people, for the people, and of the people. The simple majority will always, to maintain power, refuse to say no, set boundaries, and live by rules and laws. The republican form of government lives by nothing else but the rules and the laws because equality only occurs under the rule of law.
The labor union spouts a lot of good democratic styled speeches; but acts like thugs, for the benefit of the elected few, at the cost of the dues-paying members. Proving that democracy is the last thing a labor union wants as the labor union remains a Marxist method of governance. Take any labor union, anywhere in the world, and you will find the elected officials living large on the backs, sweat, and labor of the dues-paying members. The fewest of the few long-term dues-paying members will be provided benefits and a lifestyle to be desired, but never obtained, even though the dues have been paid, the labor performed, and the sacrifices made. The 
When one person can be supported in their immorality because of their money (Jackson, Kennedy, Epstein, Clinton, Weinstein, etc.) when others are punished for the same crimes (pedophiles, murderers, thieves, rapists, etc.) we have a democracy. When all, regardless of money, titles, political power, etc. are held to the same laws and legal standards the great American Republic survives and gains strength. To rebuild the American Republic, we must first cleanse the inward vessel, removing from public office all those who refuse the blessings and work of a republic for the ease and captivity of a democracy.
In several previous professional positions, especially those in call centers, there has been considerable time spent training people to actively listen. The problem; active listening can be faked, and fake active listening is as useful as a shower without soap or shampoo. You might get wet, but you do not feel clean.
Consider the press conferences at the White House. A room is full of people who would claim they are professional listeners, who then report what is being said. Yet, how many times do you see questions asked with an agenda, personal opinions warping what is said into what they desired to hear, and then reporting what they erroneously heard to satisfy their desires politically; every single time. Hence, the problems with active listening and how active listening can be faked. Desire and attitude of service are not being applied to improve customer service focus.
Consider two people the media has proclaimed as great communicators, Presidents Reagan (R) and Obama (D). President Reagan was listened reflectively, asked good questions, listened to the answers, asked more questions, and then listened some more. In listening and asking questions, President Reagan built people (customer service focus) and was respected by enemies and friends for his ability to communicate (personal desire determined destiny). President Obama has been labeled by the media as a good communicator; but by all accounts, he never listened, his questions showed he desired to be heard, and his focus was all on him as the smartest person in the room. Desire builds an attitude of service, which then forms the customer service focus, which then reflects a desire to reflectively listen and achieve mutual understanding with those being communicated with.
Not listening is probably the largest social problem in the world today. Everywhere fake active listening is observed, along with copious amounts of observable inactive, selective, and active refusals to listen. Some of the problems in improving listening are policies and procedures that do not allow for individual adaptation or situational understanding. However, too often, the individual choices to grab power, exercise authority, and pass along inconvenience are the real problems in not listening. Harvey Mackay is reported to have said, “Easy listening is a style of music, not an attribute of communication.” Proving again that listening is a choice, a personal choice, borne from desire, bred on attitude and reflected in verbal and non-verbal patterns of communication.
DNC-Consulting 