Respect; Where did it go?

Sitting here in God’s Waiting Room, the word RESPECT keeps flying around the room and bouncing off the walls. Perhaps it is the result of the outrageous noise emitting from news channels on the TV. Or it may be something printed in a newspaper or magazine. Whatever the cause, it requires investigation.

The Oxford Dictionary defines RESPECT: “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements:”

Most of us can come up with a long list of people and institutions we RESPECT.

Instilling the value of RESPECT in children during their early years is important and should continue throughout their lifetime. It is our responsibility to pass on these values to the next generation.

Lesson number one is to RESPECT what is right and wrong. Making the wrong decision comes with consequences, usually a scolding or perhaps a little hand pat to the posterior. As we grow older, the consequences become more severe, such as a traffic ticket, a lawsuit, or even imprisonment.

Lesson number one leads directly to lesson number two: RESPECT the person administering the consequences. Whether it's your mom or dad teaching you valuable lessons for growing up or a police officer enforcing the law designed to protect everyone, it's important to show RESPECT towards those who are responsible for maintaining order and upholding rules.

Lesson three: Everyone has the right to think freely. Respect others' opinions, even if you don't agree. The one exception to that rule is Mom. Moms are always right.

There are many more lessons to learn as we go through life.

RESPECT establishes a life pattern most people live and embrace. They have RESPECT for parents, elders, siblings, neighbors, schoolteachers, police officers, the law, other people’s property, other people’s opinions, our country, our flag, the military, people of authority, and the institutions they represent.

These institutions include places of worship, schools, businesses, and local and state government.

Our parents and teachers taught us that RESPECT starts with God, then Country, Family, and self.

The United States Congress, watched over by God, is the highest and most visible governing institution in the World. Its 535 elected officials, comprised of 100 Senators and 435 Congressmen/women, have the responsibility of governing by working together and reaching conclusions that benefit the country. That duty requires RESPECT.

It is reviewing time.

Turn off the rerun of Gilligan's Island, Gunsmoke, or Barney Fife, and take a few minutes to read the Constitution. If you have not read it before, do it. If you have read it, do it again. RESPECT is the cornerstone of our foundation. It might not hurt to have your children be a part of the discussion.

Support Canada Free Press

Congress has always been a place where lively debates take place and where mutual RESPECT between members with dramatically different positions is demonstrated. It is on display for the World to see.

Oops, that last paragraph contains a mistake. The attitude in Congress has flipped 180º from RESPECT to outright hatred for someone with an opposite point of view. Compromise has become a dirty word. Whoa! Is not respect and compromise the soul of our country?

In the past, Presidents of the United States have been unifiers. They have worked to bring our people together into one cohesive body called Americans.

Today, a Presidential speech regarding anything from grass seed to World War Three is laced with political rhetoric and hatred toward the opposing party. The speeches are always the blame game. RESPECT has disappeared.

Now, before those with differing viewpoints twist their undies up into a bundle, the same situation exists across the political aisle. RESPECT took the last flight out of the country.

Belittling members of one's own political party instead of discussing the many important issues our country faces is DISRESPECTFUL and endangers the future of our country.

What kind of a picture of the United States do you think is painted in countries around the world?

A play on the words once used about Elvis, RESPECT, has left the building.

Just sayin’.

VIEW Comments