The Golden Rule

I sit here staring at the screen wondering how I should start the topic. I'm tired of being delicate about the subject. I was raised that ALL people are the same regardless of sex, race, socioeconomic status, what-have-you. But as I grew older the "hush hush" of society's rules taught me otherwise, or rather showed me that I was taught one thing but should act another way. Well, I guess that's not really a good description - not "act" another way, but "feel" another way. I started seeing the lines drawn in the sand - some were washed away by the tide while others remained.

How can we make strides when parents literally breed hatred in their children. The change has to happen in the beginning. We are taught as young children to be polite, to say thank you, to be kind to others and to share. What happens when we grow up? We learn that to make it in this world we have to be cut throat, or watch out for ourselves. What happens to that "golden rule"?

I truly believe that the newer generations have less moral values. Somewhere, somehow, values & morals were pushed aside. We have become a generation of self-preservation, self-gratification, and "easy way out" antics. There is no pride in possessions. What happened? We can blame our problems on a bad economy, political differences, television, or whatever, but it is OUR fault for failing our children. No one wants to own up to their problems anymore. I am not perfect, and I've never met anyone that was...

There's a problem, now what's the solution?

EW's Top 10 Fiction of 2009

1. In Other Rooms, Other Wonders Daniyal Mueenuddin
2. The Help Kathryn Stockett
3. This Is Where I Leave You Jonathan Tropper
4. Let the Great World Spin Colum McCann
5. Blame Michelle Huneven
6. Asterios Polyp David Mazzucchelli
7. Too Much Happiness Alice Munro
8. Sing Them Home Stephanie Kallos
9. A Monster's Notes Laurie Sheck
10. Await Your Reply Dan Chaon

I read #2, and I have to say it was a wonderful story. I love the way it catapults you into the social tensions and harsh realities of the role of women during the early civil rights movements.