Fair enough, Chris. But perhaps the inverse, as set against this "outsiders" perspective, bears consideration.
As a federal employee who managed budgets that would beggar the mind of some private tree company owner/operators, I enjoyed the very same need to balance responsibility against freedom. For me, I was lucky/smart/hard-working/skilled enough to find a place in a very large organization where I had many of the options that successful tree company entrepreneurs enjoy. Sure, there were times when it was no bed of roses, and at the end it sucked the hairy moose lips, though I think won that battle too. But I doubt any of y'all on the "other side" can say much different.
Most of the time over those 32 years, in almost every essence, I was as much my own boss as any of you.
The up side for my situation could be counted in good benefits, good paid vacation time off, good paid sick/family leave, a comfortable retirement...and above all, I never had to chase work, as there was always more that needed doing than any three or four people could reasonably accomplish. But in my situation as an hourly wage slave, far more often than not, after my hours for the day rolled around, be they 8 or 10 depending on my planned schedule, I got to go home, be with my wife, enjoy our home and property, eat and drink well, get a good night's sleep.
From what I've observed here on the 'House over these many years, not so very many in your boat can say the same.
I'm still not criticizing any of y'all. Quite the opposite, you have my greatest respect. But you sure work harder to get not much different in terms of freedom of choice and financial rewards than I did, imo.
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