Some from my generation may remember the 1973 film, “The Paper Chase,” starring Timothy Bottoms and Lindsay Wagner and co-starring John Houseman, who was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Charles W. Kingsfield.

Houseman reprised his role in the 1978 television adaptation of that same movie, but most of us who remember Houseman, remember him for his unforgettable voice and speaking ability in conveying his movie lines, and in a particular television commercial which first aired in the mid-to-late eighties. The commercial endorsed Smith-Barney, a Financial Investment Brokerage, and the tag line, so emphatically rendered by Houseman (with that hard look of stoicism on his face, comparable to that of many of his acting roles), are the words of the title above.

The commercial has stuck with me for all these years, not so much because of how it was delivered by Houseman, though I love the way he spoke the words, but by the meaning of the phrase itself.

Growing up, we were home-educated with lessons on doing things for ourselves, not wanting something for nothing, pushing ourselves to get, and maintain, good grades, give maximum effort in all we took on, and be responsible for paying for what we needed or wanted above and beyond the things our parents did for us and, gave us, before we went off on our own. (A point of clarification here … what we received from our parents in our home, were not freebies, or obligatory on our parents’ shoulders, we had to help “pay” for them by living by their rules, helping with chores and projects around the house, behaving, and not besmirching the family name which they passed on to us.)

As I look at many things happening in the world today, and in particular in our country, I don’t see the emphasis or even the reference to the Smith-Barney tagline near as much, or necessary as much, and it needs to be reinforced today.

It seems like there are some governmental decisions made today that are based on who scratched who’s back. Apparently, I should have written checks to all those (many, many on a daily basis) who have been sending me emails, soliciting campaign donations so they can make sure all decisions made by our government are based on the necessities OF all the people, should be enjoyed BY all the people, and be made FOR the betterment of all the people.

In many cases, we have become a divided people in many ways. We are treated differently because of our political beliefs, by our religious beliefs, by our attitudes regarding acceptance, tolerance, and decency toward others, and by our social and financial statuses.

Many (some who shouldn’t) receive higher tax breaks as recompense for financial and political support. Some have to pick up the tab for that, often times, those in the middle. Some receive subsidies in securing mortgages, or getting loans, or seeking lower tuition costs. Some have to pick up the tab for those, often times, those in the middle.

The philosophy of this has had the “trickle down” effect into other areas as well. I have been privy to seeing it in education. As an educator, many times, I was approached by concerned parents regarding why some students received more end of the year awards, than others. As a coach, I was asked, many times, why some players received more playing time that others. I am totally confused (not really confused but that was the nicest thing I could think of saying right then) by the philosophy of everyone getting a trophy, or every team making the playoffs, or students not receiving zeroes for work not done, or the “boys will be boys,” or “girls will be girls,” excuses for unacceptable behavior or expectations not met. I am especially confused by rewarding people, again, using children as an example as that’s been my arena for approximately 60 percent of my life, for doing what they were/are expected to do. I’ve seen situations in my post-retirement days of subbing, where if a child walks quietly down the hall, they receive a reward of some kind. If they behave in the cafeteria, they receive a reward. Aren’t these things they should be doing, or are expected to do?

I pay my taxes (sometimes begrudgingly) on time. I receive no reward for that. I try to drive within the speed limit. I receive no reward for that. (I am punished if I do not and get caught, but I can’t blame anyone else but myself.)

I can understand kids receiving praise or a certificate of outstanding achievement for befriending a bullied class/school mate, showing outward acts of kindness, etc., but most of what anyone receives (other than special occasion gifts) should be earned. That includes children, students, athletes, or adults. Then, as we age, we can look back at a good life, even with its potholes and other bumps in the road, in any of our levels of life, be able to and look in the mirror, or stand before a group and profess, in our best John Houseman voice, “I received this break/reward the old fashioned way, I earned it!”