Take A Stand And Say Enough Is Enough

Take a Stand and Say Enough Is Enough

Laura Miranda

Axia College; Western International University

January 1, 2006

We need to take a stand and say enough is enough, and tell others that if you don't like what is happening in our government, schools, and in the communities please just leave and quit changing us to fit what you have left behind. It is a historical fact that the United States is the melting pot of the world. What has happened to the "old" values that this country was founded on? In today's busy world we seemed to have lost a lot. People have become so busy they are losing sight of what really matters.

This country was founded and developed into what it is today, in large part, by the contributions of all the people that have come here to, "live the American dream." There are many places in the world where speaking your mind, stating your opinion, or even criticizing your government can get you whipped, beaten, tortured, shot or even killed. It seems to be that the immigrants have taken this new found freedom too far. There are those here that are very thankful for the freedoms of what the United States has to offer. Recent immigrants have offended the ones who have lived here for centuries as well as those who have recently come here, and who continue to make this land the place people want to live, by coming in and trying to change it so we can't speak our freedoms freely without offending them.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand. This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans...... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. (American Citizen)

We don't need more rules telling us what we can or can't do, in the environment in which we live and have fun; it would be nice if we could return to a simpler time and to the way our parents were raised. There used to be honor and dignity in being sure that our children had proper etiquette within a family, community, and others they may come in contact with. With today's busy society, and society pushing to get things done faster, there are very few people who take pride in showing and teaching their families the proper etiquette, and instilling the family values while enforcing them. David Popenoe, who heads The Marriage Project, "echo the longstanding conservative lament that the rise of employment among mothers, like the rise in divorce, is part of a larger process of cultural decline that is leaving our families undervalued and unattended" (Gerson, 2004, p. 53) With cultural decline still going on, it is leaving more and more families unattended, it has lead to the decline in teaching and enforcing the family values within the families today. There are many different things in life that have forced a split in our family time. We need to teach our children to make the time for family, no matter what it causes them to miss out on. It is a common theory that the TV started the family split. Before the advent of television, families would sit around the supper table and discuss the day's events, world event, and family events. In the modern world, most families won't even turn off their cellular devices while eating. Family nights, where the family sits and talks about the weekly activities would be one way to start bringing families back together and learn more of the family traditions.

The parents of today should teach their children about etiquette, family values, and the respect of others, their traditions, and religions. Our first amendment rights guarantee the freedom of speech. We do have the freedom to proclaim our views; however this should not allow people to take it to the extreme of telling others they can't practice the ideals on which the country was founded on. Additionally we do have the freedoms to choose our own religion or non at all. We can not be forced to have a religion, nor force ours onto others. We also have the freedom to celebrate our religious events, like Christmas, Hanukah, and other traditions. In today's society, it has gotten so bad that saying Ð''Merry Christmas' might get you threatened to be sued for pushing your religion onto others? Something as simple as "God Bless You" after a sneeze can get you a sarcastic remark. What is wrong with this picture, it is the loss of freedom and respect for others or a simple shift in the direction that the world's viewpoints as to what are acceptable.

Even the government confuses the children of today. They are telling us we can't have opening prayers for school activities, and yet with the government offices, House of Representatives and the Senate all open with prayers. When you go to court to testify you swear on the Bible yet they tell us that we can't put up manger scenes in public squares. Some people are trying to understand how a manger scene on the front lawn of your neighbors house or on the grass in front of your local church, defers from the same manger scene on the grass in front of your local Town Hall. Statements like, "the government is not supposed to endorse religious beliefs" and "It is wrong because of the separation of church and state".

Jefferson's wall allows, even encourages, the positive influences of religion in the public square, while