Editorial #358 We Need Better Singers
We shake our head when the national media continues to pound us with reports of world events about which we can do little. These events are depressing because we have difficulty understanding how such evil or misfortune could happen to innocent lives who are just trying to survive.
The comforting part is we know these sad examples are a part of the millions of other example of caring, giving, helpful acts by good people who are trying to stop evil and misfortune, making the world a better place.
These examples, by caring souls, are actually the rule and common place. They are part of a two-step process of any charitable act: the act of doing good and the example set for others to follow. If everyone kept their own doorstep clean, the whole world would be clean.
Society is sliding toward expecting someone else (the government) to take care of everything for us. This started with the expectation of good service for their high taxes, thinking taxes will take care of all the problems, about which we all too quickly complain. Politicians seem to be constantly looking for more ways to steal your money and give it to someone else, to get their vote. They throw money at the symptoms, usually making matters worse.
Taxes are used in one of two ways: invested in infrastructure and programs that will delay or eliminate future expenses (a stitch in time save nine) or spent on things that addicts the society to expecting it to continue with a sense of entitlement. (Don’t give them a fish, teach them how to fish).
It is becoming too easy to expect “the system” to take care of things. The part we forget is “the system” is us! That is how our constitutional republic ‘of the people, by the people for the people’ works. This is the reason we became the greatest nation in the world with the highest standard of living, health care, freedom, security and economy.
Ben Franklin was very insightful when he said “We have a republic if we can keep it!” He knew if we did not all do our part, someone would use bribes, corruption and self-serving agendas to gradually steal our Republic from us.
The best choir director for whom I was fortunate enough to sing, told us he is always asked ‘how he always has such great choirs?’ He replied: “….by getting better singers. My job is to take the singers I already have and teach them how to sing better.”
This is the answer to how we can make this country a better place. We can make this country better by each of us becoming better citizens and setting the example for others to follow.
This is Keith Kube wishing you the best in making the world a better place.
Keith has a regular commentary on WJAG 780 radio at 7:40 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Check his website www.keithkube.com for past editorials.