No one alive had more enthusiasm for what he did.

[sellitman]

You may agree or not agree with his politics but watching him especially during the primary and election season was always interesting. The smile he wore was one of a love for his life and job. He had someting we should all strive for. What surprises me is that many here on DU share his enthusiasm yet still piss on his grave.

[Orrex]

1. If I got paid millions to smile and ask easy questions, I'd have lots of enthusiasm for my job, too.

Instead, I'm paid shit to do a job that I hate, so forgive me if I lack enthusiasm. I suspect that many here--grave-pissers or not--feel much the same way I do.

[sellitman]

2. Your problem isn't Russerts fault.

You made the decision to do a job you don't like. I'd suggest a career move.

[Orrex]

3. It would be nice to live in the world you envision

Nor do I blame the late softball-lobbing multimillionaire for my situation; I merely point out that he was fortunate enough to have a job that he could approach with enthusiasm, which is yet another in the long list of reasons why he was entirely out of touch with life in America.

Millions of people and I are working jobs that we hate and with no escape even imaginable. For the vast majority of these workers, circumstance and reality force them to remain in these positions, because they need the benefits, or because they're too old to start at a new company for equivalent pay, or they can't afford to relocate, or any of a hundred thousand other legitimate reasons entirely beyond their control or ability to change.

It's a mistake to think that everyone who works a job works that particular job by choice. I've looked, and if I could find something for equivalent pay and benefits, I'd jump in a heartbeat.

Unfortunately, I can't afford even brief downtime, because my meager income supports a family of four. And I'm lucky, because I don't have to pay for daycare because my wife works two fulltime jobs taking care of our sons.

If it's that difficult for someone in my position to find suitable employment--and it is--how much more difficult is it for someone who works two jobs and has to pay for daycare? How enthusiastic do you think they are in their minimum wage jobs?