21 April 2006

Why is Our Social Fabric Unraveling


Dear Editor:

The unraveling of our social fabric is obvious. If we wish to survive as a nation we had well be concerned about this deterioration of our social fabric. "A nation of strangers who are... unhappy, alienated, crime-ridden... will not have the cohesiveness or will to survive a major attack on its existence. It will be easy prey for demigods who build their empires by turning one group against another in civil strife.

Robert Putnam posits" television, urban sprawl, the rise of earner families and increased ethnic diversity" as the cause of the problem. I suggest the following additional causes.
  • Our lack of trust is fed by what we observe in our elected leaders. Daily we witness a parade of lying, cheating and stealing throughout the upper echelons of our society. Folks conclude that everyone is like those at the top of the social order.
  • Forced busing of school children has largely destroy the community factor in public schools. This misguided attempt at social reconstruction has spawned resentment and hated among social and ethnic groups in our schools. In a school of strangers, there is little or no social bonding. Long-distance parents are less inclined to interact for better schools.
  • The unwillingness of government and courts to take necessary measures to control crime has made us fearful to leave our homes to interact with neighbors. In most cities of America to venture out at night is to place oneself at great risk. Hence folks stay in the safety of their homes.
  • Politicians have contributed to this problem by rallying supporters by race baiting and class envy. When one social group is continually told that they are being mistreated by another, both will absorb the message and feel uncomfortable in the presence of the other. Some will act out their resentment with insults or violence.
  • The materialism that has consumed the current generation makes people more selfish, greedy and more likely to abuse the trust of their neighbors. When the daily news is full of con artists, fraudulent investment schemes, deceptive business practices, the public learns to protect themselves by trusting no one.
  • The decline of religious influence is a factor. As academics and liberals continually hammer against the influence of churches in our society, more people grow up and live without the refining and beneficial influence of Christianity in their lives. They don't learn to love their neighbor as themselves, to bear other's burdens or to treat others as they wish to be treated. Hence a major source of social capital has been greatly diminished.
  • Our media magnifies the crime and violence in our society. If all we know of American life is what we see and hear in the news, then we will be afraid to go anywhere or do anything. Hence we withdraw into the family fortress, arm ourselves and wait for the attack.
  • Given the amount of frivolous litigation in our society, one is at great risk to volunteer for anything or to invite anyone onto his property. If there is the slightest accident, a greedy neighbor may well sue you. Hungry lawyers constantly circle the skies looking for plump victims to devour.
The consequence is stay at home, mind your own business.



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