Somewhere we lost our way... we lost our moral compass.
And after years of living free in a very blessed country, we've gotten too spoiled. We've gotten too lazy. No one wants to work any more. Other countries have passed us by in education, because we don't put the importance on it that we used to. Everyone wants to just hit the lottery or become a 'star,' reality or otherwise. No one wants to find the cure for cancer anymore. (Besides, the drug companies wouldn't allow it any way - they would lose too much money.) Everyone wants to play all the time. There is a time for work and a time for play, but no one wants the first part any more.
Teachers don't want to teach much any more. They make good money now, with good retirement, and lots of days off, but they still aren't happy. Wall Street has gotten too greedy, and forgotten about giving back. Doctors used to get into medicine almost as a calling, but now it's all about the money. Media used to be about the truth but now it's all agendas and making money, however they can make the most. A man's word was his handshake, and neither are worth anything any more. There's no decency. There's no discipline. There's no kindness. Truth has become relative.
Where did it all break down? It's been coming slowly. Drop by drop. Decency started it's descent in the late 60's when it was decided to not censor near as much, and foul language and sexual statements entered the media. Reality shows are just a symptom of the root problem. Now it's a free for all. Civility has followed the same lines, with MTV leading the fray.
Another breakdown? The American family. When divorces became easy and marriages were taken lightly, life in America became much worse. Lots of working mothers. No one at home any more. Latch key kids. No attention. No discipline. Now the only way for people to make it is on a double income. We have daycare, and later teachers, raising our children. And they don't love the kids like the parents do.
We've gotten too busy. Too competitive. No one is home any more. No more family dinners. Rarely even any home cooking. Kids are at karate, gymnastics, dance, tennis, golf, football - you name it. America tells us we've got to beat everybody so we can be winners and have the most money, but do we really?
When my parents were young, kids were allowed to work at a fairly young age. After the age of 12, daycare will not accept them, and since they cannot work until they are 14 and in some states, 16, there are several more years of staying home without a parent to get into trouble.
Another sign? Prayer removed from schools, and that was just the beginning. It's now being pulled out of everything, including saying the words, "Merry Christmas" at Christmas time, or is that 'Winterfest' time now?! Even patriotism is being removed. No more Pledge of Allegiance. No more pride in our country. We're all just world citizens now...
Electronics. Big screen televisions. Computers. Laptops. iPads. Phones. Nothing is personal any more. It's all by email, text or social networking, but little in person. You can't see their smiles. You can't feel a hug. You can't smell the perfume.
We're just all too busy with busyness. Life is going by faster than it used to and I'm not sure how. There is no free time any more. I think our political system has broken down, because no one has time to invest in learning about it, and the politicians aren't going to allow themselves be voted out or for worse things like healthcare that they've voted for the rest of us.
It starts with you and me. We've got to make a commitment to ourselves, our families, to our country, that we will do all we can to mitigate this growing problem. I'm part of the problem too. I've gotten caught up in the competition. It's just not worth it.
I don't think it's too late. I think we can still turn it around.
With God's help, I believe it's possible....
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