Originally Posted by blackmonsters

Would you tell the bum that laid drunk in the ditch for 10 years that he did a great job after he was
sober for 3 years and had completed tech school to become an electrician?

I would, because it would encourage other bums to get out of the ditch.

Look at the highlighted words/phrases in your post above.
They define a method.

People have basically two methods of controlling other people :

1. Kick them when they are down and this will make them get up

2. Encourage them to get up and congratulate those that do

Number 1 is a "punishment system".
Number 2 is a "reward system".

The words in your post show that you clearly favor the "punishment system" method.