Human Beings have always had a tough time getting along. When you examine recorded history, mankind has been battling for thousands of years over a wide variety of subjects – land, politics, religion, you name it. We are not as barbaric as we used to be – at least not in the modern “civilized” world. We’ve become more sophisticated at how we attack one another.
Beheadings are not as common these days nor is burning people at the stake. However, we are pretty good at bombing each other and typically from a safe distance with drones, cruise missiles, and high-altitude aircraft. Bombing the enemy from a safe distance means we don’t have to look at the carnage we’ve delivered to others. We’re more isolated from the enemy.
We’ve also become pretty predictable with mass shootings and using firearms instead of our minds to settle disagreements. There are the mass shooting deniers – those who write killing the innocents off as “the cost of doing business…” Collateral damage…right Washington?
We also remain a nation where politicians beyond draft age still send young people off to war.
We’re darned good at that.
What I am saying here is nothing new. This is only the latest version of what society has been doing for centuries. Seems we can justify anything because it is what we want at the time. We may later regret what we’ve done – maybe…
It is also true we have a lot to answer for today in how we treat one another both in person and in social media. Social Media has created a crop of seasoned keyboard warriors. We level one another with words – the hateful things we’d never say to a person’s face. Human beings possess a lot of courage while sitting at a PC or staring at a cell phone from a safe distance. We fall all over ourselves when the person we’ve attacked online shows up at the front door.
“Awe Phil…I was only kidding…”
Used to be we respected one another’s opinion whether we agreed or not. Politics was normally never discussed out of mutual respect and the valuing our relationships. Our friendships were more important than a difference of opinion. We agreed to disagree and it was okay. These days, it can get quite ugly where friendships that have endured for decades suddenly end in a fiery crash without any forethought to how short life really is.
Friendships end over a difference of opinion because we’re not mature enough to handle a differing point of view. “It is my way or the highway” – and so it goes. We’ve become unable to settle our differences without conflict. This is what the dumbing down of society and pitting us against one another has done to relationships. We’ve lowered the benchmark in order to feel better about ourselves.
It isn’t working. Low self-esteem inspires people to behave badly.
I am a centrist – liberal about some things and conservative about others. I believe in helping those who genuinely need help. That’s what responsible government and people with heart do. Otherwise, we should be responsible for our own lives and make our own way. We live in day and age where it is fashionable to kick someone when they are down instead of reaching out and lending a hand.
Well, what about that?
What has become of society that we’ve set the benchmark for common decency so low? We’ve become a mean-spirited society fueled by the disgusting demeanor of bad politicians and public figures with foul mouths. What does it say about us when the United States Senate is considering lowering the dress code – which has already happened in the House of Representatives?
It speaks volumes.
It says everything about what we’ve become.
This trend began more than a half century ago when people started boarding aircraft in tie-dyed tee shirts and holes in their jeans. It became fashionable to go casual – everywhere. Government offices and the private sector had formal dress codes that needed to be adhered to or you were asked to go home and change.
With all this chatter about our personal rights and space, we’ve lowered the benchmark for common decency even further. When I attend school functions at our son’s high school, I am appalled at how alarming personal appearance has become. We’ve become a nation of “dressed down” slobs. Oh sure, I sound like our parents long ago when it was “long hair has got to go!” However, let’s talk about minimums. There are no minimums because we’re still endeavoring to reach rock bottom. Like it or don’t, baby boomers started these trends, which have only become worse over time.
That, friends, is on us.
We are in need of a social overhaul – the reconstruction of how we think, appear, and treat one another. This comes from the proper breeding and rearing of our kids and grandkids. Setting the proper example for them to pass along to their offspring.
On a larger scale, government…the politicians we elect…must set a proper example in the form of leadership and common decency. The chatter I am hearing out of the House of Representatives is stunning. It radiates across the rooftops and plummets into our communities.
We have lost our way…
The best place to begin is in our own homes. What example are we setting for our kids, grandkids, and neighbors? I have to examine my own demeanor at home – my language, temper, and how I speak to my family – especially when things become frustrating.
Do I remember to count to ten?
And do I ever stop to consider how damaging words can be though they don’t spill blood? Words do more damage than physical harm ever could. This is something to remember whenever we go onto social media and have a strong opinion about an issue.
Think about it…
Boomer Journey... 