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Adam Carolla Is Back and Warning Against Avoiding Hard Work: You’ll ‘Get Your A** Whopped’

Sep. 24, 2012 3:34pm Billy Hallowell

Comedian Adam Carolla isn’t one to be shy about his political views. Last year, he unleashed on Occupy protesters, dubbing them “self-entitled monsters.” The entertainer has also been candid in the past about his views on poverty and hard work. It is these themes that are at the center of a new video course he produced for Prager University.

In the clip entitled, “Adam Carolla on Luck,” the comedian makes it clear that hard work is the key to success in life. He tells viewers that everyone is born unlucky. While few people enter the world on the higher echelon of society, with some finding themselves on the lower end of the spectrum, the vast majority (the 99 percent, he contends) are somewhere in the middle.

Adam Carolla Warns Against Failure to Work Hard | Prager University

Photo Credit: Prager University

“That’s not luck. That’s me,” he says of the success he’s had in his own life, specifically throughout his career. “I earned that.”

Rather than encouraging people to bank on getting a break or having success track them down, Carolla makes it clear that every individual needs to work hard and push him or herself toward achievement.

“Don’t count on luck. Rely on hard work,” he claims in the video. “Look at life as a prize fight and you’ve got to get up and do road work every morning.”

The comedian cautions against not “training” and preparing oneself for life’s challenges. Carolla contends that if one goes into the “ring of life” ill-prepared, he or she will get “a*s whopped.”

Photo Credit: Prager University

“Let’s not rely on Vegas. Let’s not rely on the lottery. Let’s rely on hard work,” he continues. ”Your resume must be twice as good as the guy you’re going against.”

Watch Carolla’s Prager U video, in which he encourages viewers to “get out there and take over the world,” below:

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Comments (48)

anOpinion
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 5:00am
I hear Hillary Clinton & Obama are going to have a press conference apologizing for Adam’s video, saying it is disgusting and represents the exact opposite of what they believe in.

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Ragnars Repos
Posted on September 25, 2012 at 2:27am
You can have dat luck and hard work, Adam. I got me some Obama stash, baby!

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Sirius3
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 10:07pm
Love this Adam, thank you! I can’t wait to show it to my kids… thankfully they’re just naive enough to not get the part about crabs, ha!

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Rob
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:02pm
I teach ninth grade students and NONE of them could understand 99% of what he said. Unfortunately, they are the ones that need the message.

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Kankokage
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:43pm
Kanko’s two cents:

Adam is completely, 100% right in every word he said. Mike Rowe explained virtually the same thing with his letter to Romney. The only reason I have a job starting in a couple weeks is that I decided to deviate from the normal “submit resume and wait” game and instead contacted my potential future employer directly and asked for a job. The job I procured did not exist prior to me asking for it. Therefore, if you can’t get work by sending resume after resume (like the millions of others in your situation), do the hard thing and cut your own path. Or, don’t bother with college and become an apprentice.

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- doomytram
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 8:20pm
  California wants to confiscate the Movie Stars wealth in local Taxes. Just think how much more of their wealth Obozo wants to take. Funny thing is if a comedian even thinks about cracking a joke about Obozo these imbeciles get overly mad and defensive. It’s just insanity and these celebrity buffoons aren’t die hard fiscal conservatives….Adam is right and people hate him for saying.
  
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girlnurse
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:43pm
I totally agree with him! However, the government needs to quit picking winners and losers and get the heck out of our lives so that we can be FREE to do hard work and prosper.
I recently talked to a refugee from a middle eastern country who is trying so hard to make it in this country (work wise) and he said “In your country I need license for this license for that, paper work, blah,blah, blah” He said; “In my country, we prove we can do the work, we do it”
Okay, yes, there is a reason theyre coming here..mainly our government isn’t AS corrupt as theirs, YET…but it’s heading there!

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crusaderx9
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:40pm
test

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Megatron
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:36pm
I like Adam Carolla- he tells it like it is.

However, as someone who graduated almost 4 years ago and lives in such a depressed city with massive student debt holding me down, I feel it is easier said than done.

Where are all the jobs? I cant even get a minimum wage job!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This economy has me feeling so mentally compromised.

If I could find something, I would work hard at it. I am working hard at finding something-NOBODY IS HIRING!!!!

If you are a person in a position to hire, let me know. I will move anywhere I have to.

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- GhostOfJefferson
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 7:03pm
  The trick is to not tie yourself to any one place. Everybody has a reason, usually a great reason, why they “can’t just pack up and move”. Everybody has always had those reasons. We are, or perhaps once were, a very mobile society. If a town didn’t have jobs, you moved to a new town. Waiting on a ghost town to recover can lead to a lot of pain.
  
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gopguy33
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:15pm
FYI: It’s Carolla not Corolla. Sorry had to do the yeoman’s work for my man ACE.

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hades3
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:24pm
An example of what Corolla talks about is some one who plays profesional baseball. Those who make it too the major leagues, have worked long and hard too do so. Does everyone who works hard playing baseball from the time they are old enough make it too the major league s ? Of course not., that does not mean their talents can’t send them in a different direction. How about those who have never played baseball ? Do they make it…….definitely not, they have never participated in the game, yet some of those people believe they are entiteled to be big leaguers.

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OniKaze
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:21pm
Just because you have a LAW degree, DOESN’T mean you have to be a lawyer!!! (just an example)

If you are un-employed for a long length of time (more than a few months) then you need to broaden your job search parameters…

NEWS FLASH: Life doesn’t always work out the way we want, and we don’t always end up with the job we are looking for, But when you are hungry, and have bills to pay, and mouths to feed, you do WHATEVER it takes to get a paycheck…

If you don’t, then you are OBVIOUSLY not hungry enough yet….

I know its tough, but I had to take a job that was outside of my skill-set, and you know what… I GET PAID!!!

Fast-food is not glamorous, but it pays… And isn’t that what you want?? Job Prestige isn’t worth all that much if it keeps you from getting a job… In the end, a paycheck is ALL we are really after…

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- v15
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:34pm
  I totally agree with you, man. But it has taken me awhile to realize this. Good luck to you, me, and everyone else out there who are trying to make ends meet.
  
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KusoJiJi
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:16pm
i’m a fan of his podcasts. the language and content is somewhat salty, but adam speaks the same language as many of us who believe in the greatness of america without being overly pious about it.

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Derek01
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:15pm
Most of these morons don’t even realize how fortunate they are just to be born in America.

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normalmom
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:08pm
That is an awesome statement coming from a comedian, none the less. He is absolutely right too. Maybe if more of these celebrities were to look at where they started and where they are now they wouldn’t be supporting and encouraging these ows crazies.

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SIXFRIGATES
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:04pm
I’m so sick of all the “Avoiding hard work” BS. I have put out 500+ resumes and applications since graduating with a 4-year degree in Dec. To date, nothing but rejections. I have been available for hard work for 10 months now. Guess what, if nobody hires, then there is no hard work to be done. I’m sick of this idea that you all think there are millions of jobs for the taking. The reality is that there are TOO FEW jobs, and TOO MANY people. As technology advances this discrepancy will only worsen. Get used to it America. Many people ABLE to work simply can’t because there is none. I am one of those. Either start hiring or stop your complaining!

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- dbuehler
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:09pm
  What is your degree in?
  
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- loriann12
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:14pm
  Change presidents so the economy is more stable, and people might start hiring again. I agree with the previous post, what’s your degree in? Is it in something you can only get a job as a teacher? Or is it something that’s actually desired?
  
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- normalmom
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:14pm
  I understand why you are upset, sometimes it comes down to experience, sometimes lately what race or gender you are. Employers now are supposed to have a certain amount of “minorities” working for them. My husband is looking for something to go along with his degree. Even if you get something smaller in the long run having experience and a good job history to start with helps I am not saying that you don’t just what they say is supposed to help on getting a better job.
  
  Report this comment
- Brewer37
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:14pm
  I’m self employed.
  
  Report this comment
- OniKaze
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:16pm
  I hear what your saying, but I think what alot of people mean by that is (and I could be wrong, but this is my personal view):
  
  There ARE TONS of jobs out there…. Sure Most of them ARE NOT jobs that you went to college to hold… They are just jobs that need done, and someone is willing to pay for… I have a degree in the field of lighting and acoustics, but rather than sit an turn in hundreds of Resume’s and risk never hearing back, when I got an offer, I took it… And the job had NOTHING to do with what I studied… But it paid (less than I would like, but its better than NO INCOME), and I wanted money, so I accepted.
  
  When my Hairstylist Sister lost her gig, she was out of work for a while looking for a job at another salon, and I finally sat her down, and told her, you OBVIOUSLY are not getting more work in ****… But your bills are piling up, and need paid, so you need to get a job doing something else… So she applied at a starbucks… Granted the $10/Hr. Starbucks pays, is NOT the $15-20/ Hr. she wanted for ****, but you have to take what you can get until you can find something you are looking for…
  
  I’m not saying YOU fall into that category (It sounds like you do, but I hope I am wrong), but I know A LOT of people that do, and THEY are the ones I gripe about… Sometimes the job is not glamorous, or what you had in mind, but when your stomachs growling, you’ll do anything to get the money to make it stop… MAYBE your not hungry enough, yet
  
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- ReaganBaby
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:20pm
  I am not disputing the fact that there are no jobs, but people who think that just because they have a degree deserve a job is what is wrong with the US. I was once in your shoes not too long ago, i put out 50+ resumes over a 6 week period until i realized that my future depended on me not someone else, so I got my **** off the computer and stopped putting out resumes, (that is not hard work) and i started to create things. I enjoyed building but the housing market took a dive which encouraged me to finish my degree, so i built custom cabinets and earned a little income, and then i met people and the network started, now i am working at an office job, i dont love my job but it allows my wife to stay home and for me to do building on the side.
  
  Submitting resumes is not hard work, get up and do something even if it is for free and you will meet people and the job will come.
  
  Report this comment
- peace maker
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:22pm
  @ six firgates. Having been a director in the weapons program and in my career having interview 2800 people the people hiring are always going to look for experience over college degrees especially in this market. I feel for you. What is your degree in and where can you apply to get even some basic experieince. There are jobs out there, for example in the Denver Metro area I learned at the latest Human Resources meeting that there are over 25000 un filled jobs spanning all skill levels. In Utah the economy is growing and unemployemment is way below the Nat. Average. Don’t give up keep networking.
  
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- ForMyKidsVA
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:27pm
  I also would like to know what your degree is. But more than that, are you one of those grads who is holding out for the big buck career job in this economy? If you really want to work, you can get a job. It just won’t be the job you want. When I graduated with a BBA (majors in finance and business management with a minor in accounting) in 1993 there were no jobs for me in NE Ohio where I grew up and wanted to stay. But I wanted to get married and begin my adult life so I took the best finance job I could get at the time…part-time bank teller.
  
  From there I went on to work collections at GMAC, then landed a job working back office on a trading floor and eventually switched to (and earned a second degree in while working full time and being pregnant wit my first kid) IT where I finally started to earn the six figures I had always wanted.
  
  I quit working eight years ago to stay home with my kids and now I’m homeschooling my daughter because she is dyslexic and the school refuses to help her.
  
  Did I ever once whine about being “just a bank teller” or having to repossess cars? Do I whine and try to force the school system to comply with federal law instead of helping my daughter myself so that I know she is finally getting the help she needs? No and no. I set goals and do whatever it takes to achieve them.
  
  Look, I know the economy stinks. But you CAN work. Just not at what you want to right now.
  
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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:28pm
  Sixfrigates – You should ask employers what you need to do to improve your resume and cover letter.
  
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- brezzeone
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:29pm
  You Are so correct. I was laided off in 2001 and became self-employed.. Things were get until 2009.
  No business no work. Can’t draw unemployment and can’t find any work. Now that hasn’t stopped me.
  I have been looking for work for the past 2.5 years . No luck to date but Hi tomorrow is another day.
  
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- v15
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:30pm
  Sixfrigates, that is pretty much how I have been feeling this year. All year I have sent out between 10 to 30 resumes per week. I have had many interviews but I am now finding out what I’m up against (because my last interviewer told me in detail when I asked him to be 100% up front with me). Despite having a Bachelor’s degree and experience, I’m still getting shot down for jobs that I’m qualified for and many that I’m over qualified for. But the jobs are scarce and I’m finding out that I’m competing against 50 or 60 other applicants for the same position. Also, many of them have worked in much higher positions than I have yet most of them also get turned away. It ticks me off because I DO WANT TO WORK but I feel like the opportunities are, in many ways, rare. So now I’ve hit a point where I am starting to look for jobs not even related to my major and even jobs I wouldn’t have considered taking just a couple of years ago. I am now starting to realize that I may have to take something that doesn’t pay very well and will have to hope to find something better as I go along. Also, I’d like to go through a master’s or JD program in the future. So basically, dude, I agree with you that I want to work but am finding out I may have to swallow my pride and work some easy, low-paying job while I look for something better. It SUCKS but I know persistence eventually pays off. Good luck bro.
  
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- BCanook
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:51pm
  What is your degree?
  
  There are 4 years worth of college graduates out there with the same dilemma. The number of jobs created under this administration has not kept up (not even close) with new job seekers, not to mention all those that have lost jobs during this administration. Over 50% of the jobs that this administration jumps up and down about are unskilled positions (i.e. fast food, retail, etc).
  
  Your statement about technology is incorrect. Technology will create more jobs, but they won’t be in America because it costs too much to do business. We have the highest corporate tax in the world. Union pensions and benefits are bleeding companies dry so they send jobs overseas. You cannot continue doing business if YOU DON’T make money. If you ever hope to get a job we need to change the residents of the white house.
  
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- UNALIEN
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:55pm
  SIXFRIGATES
  
  You are right, there are too few jobs, I have been there,, but you really need to understand WHY..
  
  It is not Capitalism that is to blame. It is Statism, the takeover of the economy by central planners..
  
  The massive expansion of the State apparatus, welfare and intervention.
  
  The State wants you to become dependent and too many do, they have to survive, but once they are dependent on the State they rarely get off it. This is enslavement and once hooked the individual is under complete control of the State and the elites that control it.
  
  This is tyranny through collectivism (aka communism aka socialism aka marxism aka modern liberalism aka social justice)
  
  The government is not the solution it is the problem…
  
  My advice,, do what you need to survive but individual freedom and liberty is being alive. Statism enslaves and ultimately destroys your humanity..
  
  Report this comment
- MrBigBillyB
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:54pm
  @SixFrigates
  I hear you about the too few jobs and too many people. I don’t know what your degree is in or what region of the country you live in, but part of what most people are saying is that expanding your search not only includes what businesses to apply for, and what level of work you are seeking, but also where you are willing to work (i.e. are you willing to move to another location to get a job?) @Peace Maker mentioned a lot of jobs available in Denver, and areas of Utah. I know here in North Texas there are a LOT of positions that are needing to be filled. Are you willing to move across the country to find work?
  
  Some people (and I’m not accusing you) just want to look in their immediate vicinity and if nothing is available, they give up. Think about the Great Depression and Dust Bowl era. There were people who owned their own farms in middle America that made their way across the country because they heard there was opportunity for work. They didn’t sit back and wait for the government to take care of them.
  
  Some people won’t take a job that they feel is “below” them. My brother is one of them. Somehow living on unemployment isn’t below them, but mowing lawns and doing landscaping is. There is no set solution for your problem, but I don’t assume you are just sitting on your **** waiting for something to happen. But if you are, broaden your horizons.
  
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- girlnurse
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:56pm
  UNALIEN is right! You take what you can when you’re not working and then try like heck to get back into the work force and yer scr**ed! In my profession if you are out of the hospital for 3 years they wont even talk to you even if have 15+ years experience as an RN. They would rather go get nurses from the philipines (true). Do not believe the propganda there is NOT a nursing shortage (they say this to keep the bogus schools full and make money). Yes, SIXFRIGATES I agree with you too! I have been saying for a long time..MOST Americans want to work and earn a living…the jobs are not there! Ask yourself–WHY would a country with such high unemployment continue to bring foreigners in by the boatloads??? WHY?
  Propaganda is that there is this group of freeloaders (again divide and conquer). Oh yea youre always going to have some who live that lifestyle, but NOT the majority!
  
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progressiveslayer
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:02pm
Hard work is the key to success however this regime wants the entire middle class to join the poor in their misery,Barry isn’t spreading the wealth he’s spreading misery.

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righthanddrive
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:01pm
This is sooooo funnnnny that I am crying. Only recently in my neck of the woods (higher than median incomes and housing prices) parents were complaining that the kids were assigned too much homework and there was not enough time for other things. If that ‘other things’ involved pee wee football and little league then fine…otherwise I’m afraid we may have to sell Yellowstone to the Chinese in a few years to pay down the debt.

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drphil69
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:55pm
A wise man once said,

“I find that the harder I work, the luckier I get…”

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- Git-R-Done
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:40pm
  I believe that saying as well.
  
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bikerdogred1
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:53pm
He does seem to know what he is talking about.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:00pm
  Read his books, he grew up poor and worked his **** off to get where he is, he made his own breaks, and as far as luck goes, he grabbed opportunity when it jumped in front of him.
  
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UNALIEN
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:45pm
Modern Liberalism is a cult of infantilzation, perpetual adolescence… or the Democratic base..

Never try to teach a pig to sing, advised Robert Heinlein. It wastes your time and it annoys the pig. Similarly, never try to teach a modern liberal to think critically, it wastes your time and annoys the modern liberal..

Report: Ahmadinejad to Meet with Occupy Wall Street
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/report-ahmadinejad-meet-occupy-wall-street_652994.html

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- SIXFRIGATES
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:09pm
  Good thing most capitalist entities utilize that same infantilzation to sell products.. So you tell me that your side is any better and do it with a straight face.
  
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- UNALIEN
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:41pm
  SIXFRIGATES
  
  You silly juvenile modern liberals straw manning capitalism, you don’t even understand it,,
  
  lets keep it real simple, in free market Capitalism the consumer/individual gets a choice, they are not forced or coerced to participate. In Fascism or Statism the individual is forced to participate under the guise of the greater good… that force or coercion comes from the power of the State. In free market capitalism a business has no coercive power..
  
  get it now,,
  
  Fascism, Statism… bad, tyranny and exploitation
  
  Free Market Capitalism… good, freedom and liberty
  
  Where modern Liberals get it wrong is that you confuse “neofascism” crony capitalism aka crony socialism with free market capitalism. It is not. Free market capitalism has been virtually eliminated over the decades to be subverted with a State Capitalist model or “neofascism”. So, the modern liberal aka Statist blames a straw man “capitalism” for the market failures and distortions that they have created… it is State induced distortions in the market that have created the problems…
  
  Just like children you break it then blame your the other guy…
  
  I know, the modern liberal just can’t accept the truth, it is part of the cult and a requirement of membership.
  
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- Face...Palm
  Posted on September 25, 2012 at 11:17am
  @six…. I’m a capitalist… I don’t even own a business. How do I fall into that category?
  
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:44pm
Can’t think of the name of it right now, but I did like that boxing movie Adam did a short while back. Pretty funny.

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- Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
  Posted on September 24, 2012 at 4:10pm
  The Hammer. I have it on DVD, great movie.
  
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Zer0
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:41pm
Adam is 100% correct…washouts and losers rely on luck. The successful rely on hard work, determination, and skill. I’m certain this is going to cause Occupiers epic **** hurt to hear and I will lololol.

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DarkJello
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:41pm
Preach it Adam!!

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JimCS
Posted on September 24, 2012 at 3:40pm
The fact that we have to spell this out is a sad testament to the way we’ve raised a generation of Americans.

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