Seems like most people in society are still “keeping up with the Joneses”. Everyone’s gotta have the latest and greatest. And if Johnny’s parents let him stay up all night online, then why can’t I? If Sarah’s parents say it’s OK for her to wear outfits like that, then why can’t I? There isn’t anything new in that. However, the lack of compassion and empathy for others has gotten way outta hand. Saying whatever crosses your mind no matter whom it hurts is now OK? Doing whatever you can to force your beliefs onto others is OK – yet we teach anti-bullying? Ambushing and killing people, just because of their race, religion, profession? REALLY? WTH is that? Where have our morals gone? Our Values? Our ethics?
Has life gotten so hard that lining your pocket is more important than being kind to a stranger…to your family, for that matter? What happened to saving for that new gadget or working hard for your dreams? We seem to have forgotten that we all are Americans (I can only speak for my country) and we need to do what is best for all. Sure, there will always be petty crimes like theft and such…I get that…but murder just because you think someone “dissed” you or something you believe in? REALLY?
For that matter, why don’t we all just have a gunfight and the last man standing wins? That would accomplish – NOTHING!!! This is NOT Nazi-Germany. We are supposed to be civilized. As civilized humans, we do not eradicate an entire race, religion, or profession. How many times, as children, did you want to “kill” your parents? We all have at one moment or another. Parents, teachers, heck – many people piss us off. But that is NOT how we as civilized people handle disagreements and scuffles. We negotiate. We talk. We come to a compromise.
We live in an “instant gratification” society because we gave in to our wants instantly. When you do something once, it becomes easier and easier to do it again. Take cussing as a simple example…the first time you cuss feels weird, almost shocking to you. But you do it again and again and before you know it the F-word is a part of your daily vocabulary. It’s the same with stealing…you start with a small piece of candy or something…you get a rush or whatever so you do it again, eventually moving up to more exciting things to steal. That is kind of what has happened with our instant gratification and entitlement mentality. We all are in debt up to our ears because we “had to have that thing” so we used credit to get it instantly and now we struggle to pay our minimum necessity bills each month. It’s a vicious cycle we have created for ourselves. Look at our nation. Politicians think that we have to lend other countries money to give the appearance of generosity, strength and compassion…even tho they know that we cannot afford to do that any longer. But we have to keep up appearances. Really? Do we? All we are doing is perpetuating the problem and growing it, making it that much harder to reign it in.
For too long our local and national consequences have been too lenient. The punishments need to be harsh enough to deter repeat offenses and future copy-cats. If someone is a celebrity or politician or well-known, they seem to get a “pass”. No lessons learned there. People with a large “following” should be held to a higher standard with stricter rules and consequences; not because they are famous but because their “name” carries some weight and others will take notice and NOT repeat the bad behavior – drunk driving, assault, lying, national security, etc. I remember reading something as a kid about some country that amputated fingers for stealing…something like that. I am not suggesting that we start mutilating people, but I am suggesting that we reexamine our laws and the consequences for those crimes.
When we were children our parents punished us when we did wrong. They did it to teach us lessons, to help mold us into great adults and citizens. Some did it with an abuse of power ego, but we are not talking about that here. Our parents wanted to give us everything that they didn’t have when they were kids. We are the same with our kids today, but one thing is different…we enable their poor behaviors to continue. We don’t want our kids to dislike us. News flash – they are going to dislike us anyway…we are parents…it is natural….but it doesn’t last forever in most cases! My question is this, WHY do we not continue this enabling with our laws and punishments? Why do people have “rap sheets” that are miles long with repeats and various crimes? When do we say enough is enough and stop these people; teach them lessons to help them change their behaviors and characters? help them be better productive citizens?
The only way I know of to incorporate things like this into our society is by voting. We can also propose bills and such to Congress and the Senate. (Google how to do that) It is an arduous task but that is how our democratic society runs. Corporations can invest in small communities, community centers…centers that actually do go and don’t just provide “lip service” and BS programs. Do real things. The problem as I see it is that we all are struggling so hard and dealing with so much within our own lives that we assume someone else will handle it. Well, after years and years and decades and decades of this behavior by society as a whole, look where we are now.
I don’t pretend to have the answers. I just want people to wake up and take care of business in a communicative and positive manner. The continued crimes against others must stop. The shootings and killings MUST STOP. Violence is not the answer. Violence begets violence. Love begets love.
It all begins at HOME. Family values. Then sprouts out into the neighborhoods and the local communities. Again, the sad thing…in my neighborhood most people do not interact with their neighbors; there are no “block parties here”, everyone is too busy with their own stuff. But that is where it begins. Gone are the days of knowing most families within your neighborhood. We all hide behind our electrical devices, we watch TV to know what’s going on in other parts of the country – the world, but have NO CLUE what is happening right in our own homes, our own neighborhoods. It’s all about the money so we can buy the next new thing and be the best, the most popular. Hmmmm, sounds like people are searching for love and acceptance but unfortunately they are searching in the wrong places.
Get out there. Talk to people. Introduce yourself. Get to know people in your community. The change begins with each of us individually.
Pamtastic
