The Absence of Excellence, By Roger Behra

SHORT COMMUNICATION 142

The Absence of Excellence

By

Roger Behra

Prior to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963, the order of the day in American society and culture was for everyone to realize that excellence in daily living and activities was the ticket to success, and that everyone should work hard to achieve excellence. Excellence included morality, character development, personal appearance, education, and social relationships. It also included daily prayer, love for God, and being thankful for God’s many blessings.

Since 1963 to modern times, 2010, the exact opposite is the order of the day in over 60% of American’s lives. All one has to do is look around and realize what is really going on in the American culture. All one has to do is read a daily newspaper, or listen to radio news and broadcasts, or watch television, and look around at personal appearances and mode of dress of females, and witness the lack of courtesy in daily activities of American citizens.

Today American culture is riddled with divorces, immorality, the pursuit of money and sex, the lack of Christian living, disorderly family life, abortions, murders, poor education, and the me first attitude, which puts common courtesy in the back seat. America’s government in Washington is out of touch with her citizens and to a large extent is dysfunctional. America is far down on the list of excellence and has exported her lack of excellence to other parts of the world who have copied her behavior.

Once upon a time, America used to be looked up to as a nation of so many worthwhile cultural achievements. Her example was outstanding. Now, America is floundering in her own sea of transgressions. And it all started with the counter culture movement of the 1960’s, slowly but surely.

America not only lowered herself, she greatly influenced other countries to do the same. They copied her behavior. Mexico is a good example. The consoling factor is this. The descendants of the original counterculture people are now suffering the results of the counterculture innovations, and the original people have to deal with it. That is their punishment and justly so. America should be ashamed of herself. Her low moral standards and offensive behavior and do your own thing, both good or bad, are the essence of the lack of excellence.

R. B.
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