Ben Carson Blames 'Ruling Elite' for Creating 'Culture of Failure'

Florida-based Republican Dr. Ben Carson, while making a pitch for the Washington Times where he writes a weekly column, contrasted todays culture with when he grew up and offered a stark view of what young people currently face.

Carson, a prominent neurosurgeon who entered the political realm in 2013 when he criticized President Barack Obamas federal health-care law at the National Prayer Breakfast, has increasingly shown signs of running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. After retiring from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland, Carson, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor, is now based out of West Palm Beach.

America is the land of dreams and it has fulfilled the dreams of so many people from so many places, Carson emailed conservatives on Wednesday. As a child, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. And by working hard, embracing my mother's values, and seizing opportunity, I was able to become a neurosurgeon. But I worry that today's generations have been lulled into a complacency that is destroying the promise of the dream.

The ruling elite has convinced too many young adults that it's OK to stay at home and live in your parents basements playing video games or aimlessly roaming the streets with friends, Carson added. After all, you can get a monthly check, a free cell phone, and health insurance from Uncle Sam for doing nothing. Opportunity has been replaced by despair. Embracing character, values, marriage, and family has been ridiculed. Government dependence has been substituted for self-reliance. And mediocrity has replaced excellence.

Carson called on conservatives to join him in demolishing this culture of failure and standing up to the media elite so that we can take back our country.