A Sense of Pride

It is imperative that we focus on teaching and instilling a sense of pride, responsibility, and a pressing integrity to our youth today. The importance of these values must be highly stressed and their honor exemplified through both teachings and actions.

I do not believe that we should continue the degrading habits initiated in the 1980s in which we focused much too strongly on protecting self esteem rather than actually developing it. No child should be rewarded simply for showing up to school. Twelve to sixteen years of that will instill extremely obtuse and unrealistic expectations for a young adult entering the workplace. Children should be introduced to the realities of life from an early age. Competition should be encouraged along with the understanding that goals can be achieved through perseverance.

When you celebrate mediocrity you will never encourage the setting of goals and working for improvement that will actually enable a young person to progressively grow into a well-adjusted, productive and successful member of society.

Once again we are proving to be our own greatest enemy. Political correctness is a prime example. We try so hard not to offend that we end up pussy-footing around subjects and never make a point, criticism or positive suggestion. When you are afraid to speak out, your voice will never be heard. This by no means is my endorsement of overly insensitive or outright offensive behaviour. We should teach and live the golden rule throughout our lives. Teaching it to our kids and living the best example possible. Such behaviour can be contagious. Let courtesy guide you, help someone in need, be friendly, smile, wave, yield the right of way.

U.S. Economic Prosperity

What an incredible economic power we have in this country! Even after the dotcom bust, several down years in the stock market combined with the devastating terrorist attacks in our homeland in 2001 followed by the worldwide pursuit of terrorists and the liberation of millions of oppressed people in Afghanistan and Iraq, we still prosper here at home!

Our nation has presented 350 million dollars to the tsunami ravaged shores of Asia and the loving citizens of America have followed their hearts and contributed millions more from their own pockets. Even with the world's highest ever oil prices, we can still provide our citizens some of the cheapest fuel in the world. We are driving no less and purchasing higher-powered, gas consuming vehicles at an incredible rate. We are without doubt a rich population, freely and voluntarily spending billions of dollars on sporting events, lottery tickets, movies, vacation travel, video and computer games, and a large variety of other activities and forms of entertainment.

While fighting a global war on extremist hate our great nation still has the capacity to inflict economic prosperity on her hardworking citizens. Millions of jobs have been created over the past two years, businesses are growing, productivity has increased exponentially, inflation is in check, interest rates have finally begun to rise from the pitiful fractions we've seen in recent years and we finally have an administration that exhibits a sincere desire to repair our failing social security system rather than simply complain about and predict its impending failure as has been the fully acceptable status quo for the past several decades.

We continue to lead the world in economic and technological development. Our nation has successfully branched out to other motivated and growing countries to share our resources, provide jobs and assist in their own economic development.

Rejoice in our continued blessings, work hard to increase productivity, teach your children to not suffer shame for our success, assist your family, volunteer in your community and aid the less fortunate in seeking improvement and prosperity as well. Continue to recognize and share the blessings of good fortune with community and humankind both near and far.