While I deeply appreciate the unique struggles I watch my son's generation going through (he's 24, I'm 44), I have to say that I don't see these struggles to be fundamentally more or less than the struggles I went through, and certainly not any more than my father went through during the great depression.

Getting through college in the 80's was HARD. I was raising a kid and can recall the seemingly endless cycle of school/work/work/school/no money/etc. It took me almost a decade to get through because I would have to drop out for awhile and go to work, then go back, etc. I held many, many dead end jobs during this period and it was probably these experiences which caused me to choose my path in academia VERY carefully. I was fully aware that most college degrees were (and still are) absolutely worthless when it comes to being employable. And therein lies the problem....

Exactly who counseled many of you twentysomethings that just getting good grades and 'playing the game' will net you the american 'dream' in the end? With a psych. degree? A B.A. in sociology? Really?

The truth is, carefully choosing a path that will balance your talents, desires and net you a decent living is difficult...it always has been and it always will be.

What a great piece. Thank you Garrison.

Please stay around and write like this forever...

Keep featuring crap like this and I won't be renewing.

cosmo-esque indeed.

In the declining, desperate, sad and depressing climate of the american workplace circa 2006, how can ANYONE think that it is a good idea to legitimize 11 million scab laborers who are breaking the law?

Oh, that's right.....those who need their lawns trimmed, and their food prepared....OR those who need to self flagelate periodically to appease their overeducated liberal guilt. Neither camp usuallly understanding what it feels like to actually be a member of the rapidly deflating working class. We're just screwed again.

As someone who grew up in San Antonio, I can tell you that it is low wage central. There is no boom there....not for the working class. And the illegals absolutely put a drain on the health care system. An undocumented illegal shows up at the hospital and needs $30,000 surgery. They get it, and the 'system' foots the bill. They walk away owing NOTHING, since they claim to be 'indigent'. Meanwhile, many of the nurses (those who can't afford health insurance) would be billed for the same operation if THEY needed it and forced to pay; When they can't they will be harassed by collectors, sued, etc. What a deal!

Do us Austinites a favor and stay there.

My roots in SA are deep, and I couldn't get out of that shitty, conservative little conformist city fast enough, and everytime I visit I have an immediate and overwhelming desire to leave.

We're obviously not talking about the same SA. The SA I know (and lived in for quite a few years) is staunchly conservative, creatively stifling, uber-conformist, boring , bland and stale. The restaurant's are good, I'll give you that.

Austin seems 'too cool for texas' (or whatever somebody here posted) because Austin IS, in many ways, too cool for texas. For anyone who thinks, or differs from the norm too much in appearance, lifestyle or ideas, most of Texas is a wasteland.

Despite my disdain for most all things San Antonio, and in the interest of putting to bed this silly 'SA/Austin rivalry', I will extend the olive branch of peace to my brethren in good 'ol SA and say to you....shall we meet halfway?

San Marcos?