It’s the family, stupid

In response to Robert Kittelson’s letter on Friday, it’s about (past) time to see the truth as his letter so accurately states. Growing up, our motivation as two young men (my brother and myself) was “wait till your father gets home!” Wow, talk about powerful motivation. Hollywood-based role-model worship of crime, drugs, irresponsibility and materialistic objects is rewarded and constantly injected into our youth in their formative years via television, Internet, etc. It’s no wonder there are so many horrific shootings, killings and general disrespect for civility and humane behavior traits.

Suggestion 1: To get or renew government benefits should require a hair sample; if nicotine or drugs are found, come back clean next month and your request will be reconsidered. Suggestion 2: I hear regularly that Medicare is broke and now supposedly defunct even though I’ve paid in from age 12; I’m now 64. Answer: Two generations of rewarding bad behavior fueled by the lack of parenting at home. It’s not a teacher’s responsibility to be a mom or a dad. Don’t procreate unless you’re willing to make a lifetime commitment to finish the hardest job in the world, being a mentor and parent.

There are so many working poor who are “truly” needy, and they need help, but in reading about fraudulent food programs that had no oversight, resulting in millions of wasted government dollars, it makes me wonder. I hope someone agrees. The writing is on the wall, and it’s grim, unless we decide to clean up our act as residents of the greatest country so far.

MIKE ZWEIFLER

Maumelle