What Does U.S.A. mean to you?
For many young people it means U Suck Always. If you think that, you would be DAMN WRONG. The UNITED STATES of AMERICA is a country that should still be drenched in traditions and rich with history (good and bad. What people don’t have ups and downs?).
When you promote a diverse community, you welcome in the thought’s and traditions of many peoples. That is what America was built on (many people wishing for a better tomorrow) yet still moving the same direction with a similar Devotion. Diversity has taken on a new meaning for Our People. Diversity now means many peoples going in their own direction. With that thought, we are no longer a nation that was founded on people wanting better (history can be erased you know). We seem to be a people wanting to have it their way (this ain’t no fast-food joint) and will stop at nothing to have only their voices heard (sorry, you are less important than what you first thought). With that thought, let’s take a trip to the past (oh, and I am no more important. I just choose to make my “voice” heard here instead of looking like a fool by doing some stupid protest in view of the public).
Not that long ago, and in a century one less than today, there was a feeling of gratitude and respect for the Stars and Stripes we call the American Flag. People were steeped in patriotism and had “All American Family” traditions. “So what is “All American” and what should it mean to me?”, You ask? Well, let me put it into my perspective (if you disagree, well, that’s your loss). I grew up in the transitional era also know as Gen X. We were the kids going home without parental supervision after school (and survived), stayed out as late as we wanted (but not past 10pm). We also knew about traditions like county fairs, festivals, and having fun with actual people that didn’t involve much drama, except a fist fight from time to time (on a basic level today, drama is the only way to get the attention of certain people)…. That being said, fairs and festivals were once fun and exciting. Unfortunately, the same people running them 50 years ago are the same ones running them today. We have lost the attention of 2 generations and no longer have very many people who look forward to going out to meet up with friends and family. Simply because there is little advancement for how fairs, festivals, and social events are ran (bring in “new” games and rides. Not rides and games from 1900, or the same every year (just because the contract is “cheap”)). That way you can attract younger generations with short attention spans, (I have no idea what to do about it, BUT, I know there has to be an algorithm for it)!
Here’s the one that pisses most couples off. Child raising and discipline. I was whipped (some) in my day. Ok, truthfully, I didn’t receive nearly enough punishment for what I did (back then). I even got paddled at school… “Gasp!!” (for being “socially active”, Yep, I was a talker)! No, really, they did that back then! AND IT SHOULD BE THAT WAY TODAY! Consequences, (pay attention, or blog for a living…) that is what happens when you do something smart OR stupid. Also a process that is not taught enough in today’s society. If you do something stupid, you deserve the pain it creates. Quick side note; I made a Chapstick tube “bomb” when I was younger, from black powder (to blow up a toy car) I stole from my dads gun rack (back then we knew how to shoot a gun, or to leave them alone). I lit the fuse (taken from a fire cracker) but it didn’t go “all the way”, so I tried to re-light it and…. It lit, blew up, and gave me 3rd degree burns on 3 of my fingers (consequences). Knowing that now, I don’t do stupid S#!t like that anymore. Quit babying your babies. Let them do stupid shit, or they will NEVER learn consequences (maybe not that severe, BUT, our parents were off working and not drawing social welfare. Parents like that are home all day and still not teaching children societal values). Why do you think there are so many Pu55!es in the male population today? (I’ll digress, it can “feel” you getting red faced).
Have you ever read the warning label on most products? I have. “Do not take orally”, sadly on a tube of Preparation H. “Do not point laser directly into eyes”…. really, you have two, don’t screw up twice! “Do not put hand on blade while running”… well, Stubby, did you learn not to do stupid? Sadly we choose to coddle those who do stupid stuff and have a legal system that promotes this type of behavior, and they are rewarded!!!! CYA is the motto of todays business person, unfortunately, stupid can’t be predicted. My friend has a YouTube site called “Surrounded by Stupid”. In a long way, he describes what is amiss in todays society! Unfortunately he passed two years ago, this month (damn I miss him, such a good friend). We need more Ed’s in this world. Albeit some of his thoughts are disturbing to the shallow minded. Although personal, his perspective is relevant even current in today’s world. Just like Rush!
Back to “today”. Traditions are seen as “old Fashioned” and “boring”. Why is that? Oh, probably because tradition and personal interaction isn’t taught in school or society. We live in a world that is seen through a picture viewer (your phone screen or big ass TV). Don’t know what I mean? Look at your last “personal” interaction. Was it face-to-face, or “face time”? We have been taught to be afraid of one another. (Sadly I’ll be called racist for that observation). But look back, if you are old enough (45+) you should know what I mean. I seriously don’t know how modern (those under 40 yrs of age) kids have fun or function without feeling alienated from an actual society. Looking at a screen without any interaction with people, nature, and social circumstances has to make the psyche ache for personal connections.
If we continue on this road (I stayed away from politics and school systems on purpose), we are destined for a short ride in a “handbasket”. Really, I can’t see any way out of this for true Americans. Sadly, that term has two meanings (or more), and that is the political side of life. We have been conditioned to follow more than one idealism for how This Country should be ran and the direction it is headed. One side is right…. and one is not. What side are you on? Up until this point, you had an open mind, one sentence ago, then it closed (I’ll bet). Anyway, read into this situation how you want. Our school system is fu(k3d, and most parents have no say into how it is ran (political #2). Do you want your child to be involved in this type of behavior, or do you think you can teach them better? Sadly, most parents who wish to see their children grow up strong with an opinion that is theirs, do not have time to be in their life enough because, we have been told bigger is better in this world, and if you don’t have it, you ain’t s#!t.
Pull yourself, your children, family, and friends away from societal norms for at least one day a month. If in that one day or weekend, we can’t come back to “traditional” values, we may be destined to be the next Roman Empire.
