When we say the word “entitled” the immediate reaction is that it’s something owed to us. It is some sort of right and cannot be denied. We are living in an evolving society of morals, which is redefining who we are as a nation. Our identity as a nation is changing rapidly. When I was growing up in the eighties, there were students who would get free lunches. They were not proud of it, and it certainly was no badge of honor. There was a degree of embarrassment by the student, and inside, they wanted desperately to be off of them and be able to pay their dollar for the lunch. However, today instead of embarrassment, it seems to be the goal to have and possess free handouts.
At one time in America when a person was on unemployment he/she hated it, and they couldn’t wait until they got back to work. In this day and hour, it appears as though people enjoy it and boast on how long they can be on it until it runs out.
A family that hit hard times back then would have to resort to food stamps to help. Yes, they would be embarrassed in the store, but all the while they had as a goal to get off of them and support their own way. Our society has fallen into the trap of now believing that these things are now owed to them.
A woman may get pregnant to four different men, and for every child she demands that I pay for her loose morals. She will say it’s the government money helping her when, in reality, it is not! It’s my money she is exploiting. Because of her irresponsibility, I am penalized and become responsible whether I want to or not.
Unfortunately, we have become fluent in our language skills at blaming everyone, complaining, and screaming about how everything is unfair. Meanwhile, we have lost our verbal ability when it comes to words such as, "Please," "Thank you," and "I'm sorry."
A return to honor and respect will create a culture that stimulates growth in all areas because peace will blanket the relationships. Even national development doesn’t happen without peace. No peace – no development. A nation slides downward when honor and respect evaporates out of its moral fabric.
What to do to get back on the road to respect and honor?
Life is a matter of building. Each of us has the opportunity to build something -- a secure family, a good reputation, a career, a relationship to God.
What are we to do? Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying, "If we work on marble it will perish. If we work on brass, time will efface it. If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust. But if we work on men's immortal minds, if we imbue them with high principles, with just fear of God and love of their fellow-men, we engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface, and which will brighten and brighten to all eternity.”
Let’s go to work!
Reuben Egolf
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