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[mytruthandbeliefs]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5xgo9ejXRo)

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Meet and Greet Revisited

The strangest feeling came over me today. I was in a restaurant, excused myself to go to the restroom, walked past a table and the feeling hit me hard. I had seen a scene that I had been party to over 58 times. The average person walking by would have thought this was an older couple sitting together enjoying a meal. People close by might overhear snippets of the conversation and think these two people were old friends catching up with each other. 

But, I knew. I knew. He was wearing a fairly strong cologne and had his grey hair neatly combed and pulled into a pony tail. He was sitting too straight in his chair and he was trying TOO hard to make her laugh. He had a bluetooth in his ear and probably didn’t realize that his voice carried. I could some of his sales pitch for himself. 

She was sitting completely on the other side of the table. If they had already known each other for a while they would have probably sat closer. She was overly dressed and was trying TOO hard to listen to his every word. Any committed couple would have looked more casual with each other. I recognized the look on both their faces.

When I got back to my table I told the people I was eating with that I had just witnessed a “meet and greet” and I wanted one of them to walk by the table to see the couple I was talking about. Just about that time the couple walked by us on their way out. We were right behind them and had to walk around them as the man was trying to get hugs from the woman just outside the building- right in our way. Then, the icing on the cake was that as they parted ways at 4:00 in the afternoon, they discussed plans to see each other again. 

Yeah, I was right. One thing I realized when I saw that couple was that I hated that feeling. I hated being put on trial for thirty minutes or an hour while I had to sell myself and somehow try to pick through what the guy was saying, trying to get a glimpse at the real him. It was a lot of hard work and honestly, it was exhausting. 

I know I’ve said it over and over for the past few years, but I am very serious in that I don’t want to do what it takes to get into a relationship. I don’t like the dance that goes on, both of us like prizefighters looking each other up and down, sizing each other up so we can learn what it takes to eventually find happiness or excuses to run.

That poor lady thinks she’s going to find the man of her hopes and dreams by going to lunch and turning that meet and greet into the best thing that has happened to her in a long time. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Teachable Moments

Once again I have seen proof that America is becoming a "Country of Excuses".   Maybe I should stop watching the news or reading news articles to avoid getting angered over seeing some of the stupidity that passes off and is accepted by the masses when somebody does unacceptable things. Just in the recent months I've seen two examples of what I'm writing about.

A couple went to I-Hop to eat and found that they had the words Black People on their receipt. It was the wrong thing for the server to have written and there was an apology. Then, the magic words were written on the press release: Apology, apology, apology... this is a teachable moment.  Say what??? So, it is a teachable moment. 

No, the teachable moment should have started at home. Although the server was black, this type thing has happened again and again. Maybe one of the first twenty times these kind of remarks had been reported to the press would have been sufficient to teach people how to behave in public. 

If the teachable moment was taught before employment, every business out there should have a policy in place that explains how one should treat others, even on paper. 

The second example of this was on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. A black middle school in the Dallas area held a Black History presentation and turned the event into a bashing of police and white people. After being called out for this, the Principal issued an apology, not for what was presented, rather an excuse for what was given to the children to perform.

Then, as almost an afterthought that one sentence was written. Excuse, excuse, excuse... teachable moment. 

NO!!! No more teachable moments. Let's call it what it really is. Somebody was caught doing something wrong and instead of completely owning up to it they just use those magic words and we are supposed to accept it. 

Let's have a real teachable moment and make people accountable for what they do.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

No Tag In Schools

This blog is from October 19, 2006. It goes to show you that America as we knew it has been on a decline for quite some time. 

Hey- wanna help me? Hold on to the ladder while I climb onto my high horse. Ah, there. Made it. I just have to gripe for a minute. Can you believe that schools are banning the game of tag during recess or gym? The most recent case is in Boston. 

It seems that the schools don't want that horrendous game played for several reasons. First and foremost is the fear of a lawsuit if a child was to "get hurt" while playing tag. Another reason is that little Junior may not get tagged and his self-esteem will suffer. And, while tagging- a child may inappropriately touch another child. Get real.

Think back to when you were a kid and all the dangerous, crazy, fun games that you played. Red Rover was fun as we clothes-lined the opponent as he tried to break our tightly formed fence of arms. We also played Dodge Ball and tell me who didn't walk away from that game without a welt or two. As a girl, I usually was not involved in some of the roughhousing my brothers were fond of, but we still had our share of games that would be frowned upon by these new thinkers. How many kids have not jumped from a bunk bed, roof, tree, swing, or whatever to experience that rush of being airborne, if even for one second?

That brings me to my imagined scenario of those schools in Boston. We start off with Mom pulling into the parking lot with Susie. She exits the vehicle and walks around to the passenger side to open the door for her precious little child. Mom takes Susie's hand and guides her to the front door, signing a daily sheet stating that nothing happened to Susie between the vehicle and school door.

Teacher takes over and takes Susie by the hand, gently of course, not to put pressure on the little fingers  and guides her to her assigned space in the hall- reminding her not to speak to or look at any other children. They sure wouldn't want Susie to sit with her friends and talk. God forbid, the children could have a conversation without every child included because someone would feel left out. Or, even worse, they might laugh- causing the insecure to feel that he is being talked about by the others.  Upon a signal all the kids take their  places in the line that has been politically correctly strategically formulated to allow diversity and not encourage cliques. They continue on to the classroom. 

The desks are placed in a circle. This will discourage anyone from being in the front row or anyone from being in the back row. I am sure that standard rows could cause irreparable damage to the kid with bad eyesight or the taller students. As the day progresses, the teacher does not have question and answer sessions like when we were kids. Oh, no. This could cause a child to feel superior to others by knowing the answers. Shy children could go into trauma in fear of being called upon for the answer and/or the student who doesn't know the answer could become ostracized by the others for not studying. We sure wouldn't want any of that to happen. She doesn't give grades because that could cause a child to feel like a failure. Then. It. Is. Time. For. RECESS. 

The bell rings. The children lay their heads down on their desks. They can shut their eyes if they have a signed note stating that the school is not responsible if the child breaks an eyelash. The clock ticks on. Finally, recess is over. They all lift their heads and get to learning in that well structured machine that cranks out children with no individuality or personality. 

As the children are returned to the parents, another sheet is signed by the parent stating that nothing  that happened at school that day will be discussed- no gossip, emotions, or individual  thinking may be shared. Just what they want- cookie cutter kids. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

I Won’t Lose Hope

Is it too late for America to regain its status as the most powerful nation in the world? That question has been on my mind a lot lately. I am so afraid that it is going to take another terrorist attack on our Country for us to pull together as one. What is even scarier is that I am really afraid that even then we will still have people who will be trying to tear us apart for their own agenda.

It's going to take a whole new set of people in charge of our government with them actually enforcing the rules, laws, and Constitution as they are written.  This is where my sense of hope comes in. 

I know it's going to take years for us to earn the respect from other countries because the current regime has done everything in its power to make us a laughing stock. I think that we have to remember that we are better than what we have been led to believe in recent years.

I've also got hope that we can once again lead the world in manufacturing and business. We've got so many wonderful, brilliant minds in America that we should put our priorities in order and use these people to bring jobs back to America. It might be cheaper to outsource, but at the cost of our Nation- that's not acceptable.

Hope is a feeling we can't afford to lose. Without hope we just accept the status quo and look where that has gotten us. One of the most important things is that with hope comes the opportunity to build on it and put those hopes to life.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Not Ashamed of the Red, White and Blue

There are stories about the American flag that resonate throughout our Country's history. I don't know how many were factual or how many have been embellished on, but when I read that our flag was raised after a great battle, that warms my heart. It makes me happy to know that there is an American flag on the moon. 

Maybe it's because I was a teenager during the Bicentennial and I remember how Patriotic everybody was at that time. Maybe it's because I remember how America pulled together after 9/11 and I saw American flags everywhere- a sign of pride. 

I do know a lot has to do with the fact that when I was growing up we knew that the United States was the strongest, the best, and the greatest Country in the world. I don't know if children are even raised with the thought that we are number one in anything. 

The pride I've felt when I have watched a parade with American flags waving is enough to put a lump in my throat even now. When I hear Patriotic music the American flag comes to mind. I love my Country and I love the symbol that the flag is. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

The Policeman

When I was a little girl I was taught that the policeman was my friend. I was told that if there was ever a problem I could go to a policeman and he would help me. He would help me if I got lost and he was a good man. He caught the bad guys and put them in jail. Plain and simple. 

I was also taught that I was supposed to follow the rules, obey laws, and do the right thing. When I was old enough to know better I was taught not to take things that weren't mine. When I was in the car with my Daddy I knew he followed the speed limit and stopped at the red lights because if he didn't, the police would give him a ticket for not following the law.

Right after high school I saw the news about Randy Webster and Joe Campos Torres and I began to realize that there were a few corrupt police officers here and there.  I've read about others over the years. But, I still knew I was supposed to follow the law. The actions of a few officers had nothing to do with how I was supposed to behave. 

Never, and I mean NEVER in my life was I EVER told or taught by my parents that the police were bad guys. I see all these videos where little children and teens are expressing contempt toward the police. It is just another symptom of the whole problem. Watching a video where mamas are spewing hatred toward the police and their kids are standing right there seeing it makes me sick. The posts on social media calling for the deaths of white officers because there will be no repercussions teaches more hatred toward officers and lawlessness in general. How did this ever get to be okay?

Two of my brothers became police officers. I would hear their stories and I would worry about them. Sometimes there were funny tales, but usually there were stories that I wouldn't have wanted to have lived. My respect for the people who put on the badge grew because of what I saw my brothers do.

I have been stopped a couple times by the police while driving and I have never felt fear. I have been upset because I got righteously caught and yes, I have been bewildered because I couldn't understand why I was stopped a couple of times- taillight out once and one mile over the limit once. But, I never felt fear.

I can tell you this. When somebody broke into my home and it was just me and my two small children alone at home, I was relieved to see the officers show up. When I owned a taxi company and my passengers physically assaulted me- I was thankful that the 911 operator was relaying my location to the officers to save me on more than one occasion. 

The police officer and all first responders have no idea what they will face when they walk into a situation. People say - yeah, but they choose their profession. Yes, that is true. They choose to make a difference, they choose to help, to protect us, and to keep us safe from the bad guys.   

[mytruthandbeliefs]

What Do I Want Now?

If you want to make people mad, all you have to do is make a statement like- I want MY America back. Yes, I have said it quite a bit lately when I hear the news or I read an article that is so out there I can't believe it is actually being accepted as the status quo. The America I know and love wasn't this way.

 I don't want things to go back to the way things were one hundred years ago, but I will tell ya that even fifty or sixty years ago things weren't that bad. 

 One downfall has been mass communication and the ease in which uninformed people can spread pure nonsense and lies. It's so simple for anybody out there to take a tape snippet, post it, and a riot breaks out without the whole picture being known.

 Overall, Americans were more conservative in their family values. People seemed to have better manners, represented themselves in a more professional manner, and used discretion in personal matters. 

 So, YES- I want MY America back.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Morals and Respect

I am so sick of all this racist crap. From all sides. Period. Yes, racists come in all colors. My family is made up of White people, Native Americans, Hispanic people, Asian People and Black people. Some of us have been married to people from other countries, too. My family is America. Do you know what I figured out about all of this? It isn’t the color of a person’s skin. It is their character that defines a person. It is the actions of a person that tells me about that person. It is how that person comes across when I don’t know him/her and I first encounter that individual. It all comes down to morals and respect. Some people need to exhibit more of both. And, that starts at home. We were taught that in my family and I passed that on to my children. I just wish more people would do that. We were all taught that we are to treat people how we want to be treated. Do people even do that with their children anymore? Do they themselves take others’ feelings into consideration? We were also shown that in our everyday lives we were supposed to live our lives in such a way that it would not embarrass ourselves or our family. We were told that we would never get a second chance to make a first impression. Think about it. How simple are those guidelines?  One of the most important things I was taught was that I wasn’t any better than anyone else. But, I also learned that there was nobody, and I mean nobody out there who was any better than me. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Down the Drain

I know that each election cycle brings gloom and doom, but for some reason I am worried more about this election than any other except the last one. By then we knew what damage was being done by Obama- yet, somehow he was voted back in. The first time around people didn't know better. They thought that he would bring all that HOPE and CHANGE. 

I am still hoping, but the change he has provided has only torn this Country apart. He has single handedly  ruined our reputation with the world. He's done nothing but made us laughing stocks. 

We have to get somebody into the office whom can take control and give us real leadership. I am sick of our Country and what it stands for going down the drain. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

So Messed Up

Since when has it been okay to be ashamed of being an American? Well, apparently that is becoming a trend and I am sickened by it. 

 A Jackson Hole, WY high school has always celebrated "America Day" as part of their Homecoming events. However, last year the district decided that it wouldn't be appropriate because some students would feel singled out because they don't FEEL like Americans or they don't CONSIDER themselves as Americans. This is messed up.

The district canceled America Day and patriotic students weren't having it. They showed up to school last Wednesday waving American flags. Some wrapped themselves in flags. One person flew the flag on his truck. 

How can a student feel "targeted and singled out by this day"? That is what the district released as part of what helped them make this decision. Either you are an American and you celebrate the day. If you don't consider yourself an American, whether you are or not, then you should respect the fact that THIS IS AMERICA! 

What is so bad about students coming to school wearing red, white, and blue or waving our Country's flag? It seems that it some students wouldn't feel welcome if that happened. As I read the article I found myself actually shaking my head in disbelief. 

My biggest questions concern Americanism. If you moved here from another country for the benefits you get in America, then you should want to be an America and identify yourself as one.  If you don't want to be an American, then you shouldn't be here. If you think MY COUNTRY is supposed to change for you, then you should go back to your country and live the way you did, doing whatever it was you did before. We don't need you.

Everyone should RESPECT our Country's traditions and customs. It doesn't matter if your relatives came over on the Mayflower, through Ellis Island or if they came illegally- you are here now. Love it or leave it.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Preserving America

I'm not a prude or old fashioned. At least I don't think I am. But, I do think that some of the old ways are better than what we have settled for and what passes for as the status quo.

Small town America has retained more of the traditional values than has the more urban areas. The various holiday parades, Friday night football games, and filled church parking lots are testament to that .

I don't know why people think that progress has to be made by tearing down and destroying the past, but that shouldn't always be the way. Preserving our history will help the next generations understand that America was once a powerful nation. 

 We have to take our nation back. If we don't, there won't be anything but photos and films for our grandchildren.​

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Snapshot of the Past

The other day I came across a video of the town I have lived in off and on most of my life. It was made by the Chamber of Commerce and it depicted life in 1949. I wasn't born until ten years later, but I still remember some of the city looking as it did in the video. 

Because people did care about appearances and perceptions back then, the tape showed people dressed in their finest, men in suits and hats, women in nice dresses, hats, and some in gloves. The children were dressed nicely and everyone had smiles on their faces. I realized that all the scenes were staged and depicted a world we could only dream about nowadays. 

 It wasn't just the subjects that were filmed that intrigued me; it was the pride I could see- pride that held up even now, over 65 years later. It was the American way. I loved seeing the growth, the projections for the future, the way that I wish would return.

 Yes, that twenty minutes took me back in time. While the dreams and hopes of these people were being lived out on the film, I was right along side them. I saw the new buildings and hoped that they would remain nice and state of the art. My real self knows that many of the buildings have been torn down, are abandoned, or worse- are dumps in the bad part of town. 

 I know that snapshot of America was something that has been long lost. I really loved the past so much more than I do the present. I fear for our future. I really want my America back.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Thanksgiving in MY America

We all have memories of the wonderful feasts we have eaten on Thanksgiving. And, we all have our favorite dish of the day. My fave is the dressing - and if I must say so myself, I make the best dressing on Earth. I also think of myself as a really good cook. Hell, what am I saying? I am an awesome cook. 

 Thanksgiving history as I learned it as a child is what I want to keep in my mind. I love the 60's version I was subjected to by my teachers. I do not care to hear all the rhetoric that could possibly be more accurate, but ruins my memories. I love the idea of the Pilgrims (not disgruntled fanatical European dissidents) and Indians (not displaced Native Americans) sitting down together and having a meal to celebrate overcoming all the hardships of the first year in the New World. I don't want to include thoughts of disease and slaughter. 

 I loved the bulletin board with the orange and brown border. I had never seen a cornucopia in real life, but I sure saw one on that bulletin board. Cut outs of the Pilgrims and Indians sitting at the feast together bring back happy memories. I can still see the Pilgrim passing the platter of corn on the cob to the Indian. The table was filled with all kinds of food. . Everyone had a smile. It made me feel as though we could all get along and life would be good if we did. 

 Then, the big day would come. No school for two days, plus the weekend. Man, you couldn't ask for it to get any better. Because I am form such a big family, it always seemed like we did have a real feast. I was probably around nine or ten when I decided that Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday and that has never changed. We all got together and had a good time all day long. 

 Of course we know that the day is not really supposed to be about the food. I know that for me it has evolved so that we must all stop and think about he things we are thankful for in general. It is a way to share our home and hearts with our friends and family. 

 Right now I am sitting here thinking of my menu and getting excited about it. Oh, and for the record, I think there is an unwritten rule that there can be no dieting on Thanksgiving Day.  Or, maybe that is just the rule at my house. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

Beginning of Change

When I was a little girl I was taught that a boy grew into a man who was strong and was supposed to be the provider, working hard and bringing home a paycheck- taking care of the family. The boy became the daddy and he was the head of the family. He was the boss of the house. My daddy worked hard and he worked more than one job most of his life. A lot of daddies did. They did what it took to make sure their families had a roof over their heads, food on the table, and sometimes a few extras when possible.

 I didn't have the mother that I saw on television or that most of my friends had. My mother left us when I was little and I lived in an orphanage for a few years. After that I had a step-mother and she had to work because there were so many children in our family. She didn't wear pearls and a dress or go to all the PTA meetings and bake cookies all the time. She worked hard to help provide for the family. She was part of the new generation of the sixties and seventies when mothers entered the workforce in droves.

 I believe that women choosing to stay in the business world after marriage or having children was one of the pivotal points in the change of America from the traditional, safe world we knew up to that point. There were newscasters and weather girls. We had seen men doctors with women nurses. Most factory workers were men, while the women worked in the office. 

 When women started getting paychecks they started getting a new sense of self worth and independence. Suddenly, it didn't seem right for the wife, the college female or the young girl to feel as though she was less than the male in her life, in her world. This rocked the boat of the good 'ol boy society.

 In a time where the female was called "the little woman", she was unable to open accounts in her own name, she couldn't even buy property in some states, and was treated as a second class citizen, it made sense that there would be an uprising of some sort. 

 A lot of people around my parents' ages believe this along with racial issues are part of where the decline of America began. At different times of my life I have felt that women leaving the home and going into the working world did have a negative impact on the family unit. However, I believe it has helped the progress of women as a whole. 

[mytruthandbeliefs]

American First, Always

With billions of people alive on this planet, I was so blessed to have been born in the United States of America. I was also lucky to have been born during at the time I was. I have seen so many advancements in science, technology, and those of historical importance during my lifetime. Because I am as old as I am, I have known a time when nobody had ever walked on the moon, but when somebody did- it was an American. Oh, there was a space race, but Americans had something in them back then driving them to be the best, to be number one in the world.  We did whatever it took to be the best at everything. I was lucky enough to be a kid when America didn't have a throw away mentality. When an appliance didn't work it wasn't tossed out, it was taken to a repair shop or the repairman came to your home and fixed it. Quality was something Americans took pride in. Americans were proud that most of what we had was made in America. Something made in another country was considered junk or cheap and people didn't want that. Teachers took time to teach the students and parents listened to what a teacher had to say. I believe placed head to head, American children got a better education that any other children in the world. There was no such thing as just passing a student. It was unheard of. If a child failed, he failed- it didn't matter what color he was. We had a gold standard when I was a child. President Nixon changed that. Now there is no real set of checks and balances for what our money printed is based on. Back then, if there wasn't something to back it, it wasn't there. Accountability. We no longer have accountability. I really wish people would take pride in being American. Recently I have seen photos of people standing on the American flag, simulating wiping their bottoms with it, and some burning it. It has actually brought me to tears that these people don't feel the pride I feel.  I don't know when things actually changed, but I am frustrated that another American would do that. Seeing photos of black people standing in the White House posing in front of a portrait of President Reagan while shooting the finger is unforgivable. It doesn't even make sense why they were allowed to do it. I know that this isn't the America I grew up in. I want my America back.

[mytruthandbeliefs]

What is Wrong With America

Being very serious here, I think I figured out what is wrong with America. This may be a bit long- so either grab your cup of coffee or drink of choice, sit down and read, or skip this completely if you don’t want to read what I think. I feel that the lack of respect, manners, and the personal touch is what is missing, America. We need to get back to the real basics. 

1. Parents need to teach manners to and lead by example with their children. With that comes having kids learn they can’t have everything or always be the winner. 

2. People should show common courtesy to one another even if we live in a world where we are worried about eye contact, stranger danger, and neighbors don’t even know each others’ names. 

3. It is up to each of us to better ourselves. Handouts shouldn’t be a way of life. We should all have self respect and try to rise above our raising if it isn’t what we feel is the best we can be. 

4. Companies should remember that it is the personal touch that brings in the customer and instills customer loyalty. Just these four small rules would make this country a lot better place to live. I am reading a book about gas stations and it started the thought process. I remember my daddy pulling in to get gas and a man in a company uniform came out, lifted the hood, checked oil, hoses, tire pressure, and filled our tank. There were even incentives and plastic dinosaurs as rewards for choosing a particular station. The driver was appreciated. Yes, the creation of customer loyalty through service was a product of the little touches each company brought to the table. When I go to the grocery store I see self service lines and regular lanes. As a kid and even young adult there was something special about going to the grocer. There were meat markets in most neighborhoods, but the grocery store had a real butcher who could talk to you about a cut of meat and make suggestions. There was gossip to be shared at the register, even in a big city like Houston. If you wanted to know what was happening with the local little league teams- here was your facebook.  Fran was one of my favorite Checkers (as in “all Checkers to the front”) and she always asked about our family. I knew her from the time I was fifteen until I was in my thirties. S & H Green stamps, Bonus Stamps or something similar were given for customer loyalty for money spent. It was a given that when your groceries were bagged they would be taken to your vehicle and be loaded for you. You tipped the bag boy and he thanked you. Even the fast food service industry seemed to cater to the customer more in the past than it does now. One slogan was “Have it Your Way”. We are lucky now to get home and have our complete order. To ask for it to be made as we requested is almost too much to ask. You can get tacos, burgers, and breakfast all at the same place now. Where are the specialty items that made a place special?   When I was a child I went to school and said the Lord’s Prayer- later it became a moment of silence for prayer or meditation. I also recited the Pledge of Allegiance each morning from the time I started Kindergarten. In Elementary school it was followed up with My Country Tis of Thee sung every single day. I asked some kids the other day and not a one of them from kindergarten through the eighth grade even knew the song. I run a Summer Camp and I have everyone recite the Pledge and I had a  teenager on her first day not do it. I asked her why she didn’t and she said she didn’t feel like it. DIDN’T FEEL LIKE IT? When did that ever become an option? It really ruined my morning. Apparently, schools today do not require the Pledge- it is an OPTION if it is said at all. I wonder how many gas stations are out there that still give full service as a rule? Last I knew, only one or two  still required gas to be pumped and I applaud it. I saw one in Boston and used it, surprised that the gas was only ten cents a gallon more. I use the here in Houston that is only a mile or so from my my house. This helps keep/create jobs, makes businesses try harder to keep customers, and allows the customer to see what the personal touch does in bonding and building a relationship with a business. Go to the grocery store and see how many of those lanes are open when It comes time to check out. It doesn’t matter if it is self service, 12 items or less, or a regular lane, most won’t be open, anyway. The cashier usually seems bored, they can’t give change when given cash, and God forbid they have to do a price check because the scanner didn’t pick up the bar code. The personal touch is completely gone. There is seldom a real butcher at the store since so many chains now have frozen meat shipped in from warehouses. I have bagged or loaded my own groceries into my cart more often than not in the past few years. Common Courtesy. Have you walked up to a door and opened it, holding it a little longer for the next person who followed you? So many times the person or people do not say thank you or even acknowledge that the door was held for them. Try it, if you haven’t and see the result. I work with children on a daily basis and most of them answer with, “yeah” or “huh” as though that is what I am wanting to hear. I am continually correcting them to say, “Yes, Yes, Ma'am, and Excuse me”. They do not use these words at home or school and do not hear them at home so it is hard for them to remember to use them around me. I will accept nothing less. I have had more than one parent tell me that they don’t have their children use ma'am or sir because a person has to earn respect and their child is too young to know if someone has earned their respect. I don’t know when that became popular or who it was that started spouting that nonsense. I use ma'am and sir and have people tell me not to call them that because they are not old. WHAT? That is part of the problem with our country right there. But, our biggest problem is that people feel entitled to things. Children don’t believe they have to earn rewards or awards. When did that happen? Show up and play ball, nobody wins and everybody gets a trophy! No. There has to be a winner and a loser or these children will never understand how it feels to achieve at something. What does this teach our upcoming generations? I always strove to have the best grades, to be the best, do the best. What motivation is there now? The same sense of entitlement carries over into other areas of life. Our country is now into third and fourth generations of families receiving welfare. Where is the motivation or drive to do better and become self sufficient when things have been handed to you your whole life? When there is no self respect, other areas in a person’s life are also lacking. Okay, I have had my say and put in my two cents worth. Now that I have solved America’s problems, I can move on to my own.