While listening to a couple of news broadcasts this past week I heard two statements which, for me, seemed to define the path that has led our country to the very precarious economic and philosophical positions that it sees itself in today. Both of these statements have become "national creeds" that could be said to be one of the markers of change from the societies of our parents to the societies of our children and, quite frankly, are the mirrors to our personalities.
One news show was mounting a fiery discussion concerning the newest "fix" by the new government which concerned the newly proposed fuel efficiency standards that had been released. Ben Stein, a lawyer/actor with tainted views of the economy, was being interviewed on his opinions of the new proposal, and while he whimpered and whined about having to give up his large Cadillac, he left one telling phrase about his real self..."I don't wanna' ". The common phrase of most spoiled children that are consumed by their vision of self with little room for the bigger picture of their world.
It's easy to get caught up in this sort of statement considering that many have become accustomed to having what we want when we want it, but such fixed positions narrow the incredible possibilities of our society. While the first consideration of such a change in standards for new cars may seem limited to only the our overindulgent need for foreign oil, it may also provide the impetus to a new way of life for us and our planet and, oddly enough, may serve the needs of both those that prefer large vehicles and those that have smaller needs. Our history is lined with innovation that has occurred from an answer to an immediate need and this could very well be the newest case study. Just as that spoiled child, with proper tutelage by the convening parent, will most likely become a good and caring member of society, we too might see a result that would not be realized with an outlook of selfish, shortsighted opinion.
The second comment, from a commentary on National Public Radio, was simple and yet profound..."just because you can, doesn't make it right". The first part "just because you can" could be the motto of all the greed that has nearly brought this country to its economical knees, and was a banner used by many of our troubled corporations, banks, car companies, etc. The second part "...doesn't make it right" is the part that can define who we are, whether a CEO or a parent. The use of the entire phrase as a life guide can mark the change in our personal growth from selfish to selfless and thereby change our national and global legacy to one of caring.
Our parents taught us lessons from a society that had been raised from the depression, reared in small, close knit neighborhoods or rural communities and survived a frightening world war. Our children are being raised in a world that has been defined by greed and corrupt values with little respect for the human heart. The phrases of "I don't wanna" and "just because I can" have become mantras for getting and having everything a person could want, with little thought of the long range price tag.
Guess what? The drawer of the cash register just popped open and the owner doesn't take credit cards!
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Other sites of my work:
A Piece Of Work Gallery, Spirit Lake, Iowa http://www.apieceofworkinc.com/alcove_3.php
Art Of The Vine Gallery http://www.artofthevinegallery.com/
Artisans Road Trip http://www.artisansroadtrip.com/index.htm
BetterPhoto.com http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=251674&mp=V1
CR Gallery, Milford, Iowa
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