Breakdown

We get what we deserve, or maybe it’s more like we reap what we sow.

We hardly go a day without another shooting and multiple casualties, hardly go a day without a reminder that people are snapping and lashing out, for various reasons. Maybe it’s because they’ve watched one too many violent video games. But I’d put my money on an intense feeling of hopelessness instead. A feeling that no one’s listening, no one cares.

This doesn’t excuse the monstrous behavior, but it should stop us in our tracks and have us asking ourselves if we are actually our brother’s and sister’s keeper, or if we’re here just to achieve and make money and compare ourselves and boast and buy into the god-forsaken American Dream.

Selfishness is built into our national DNA. How else can we be good capitalists and “do our part” as consumers if we’re not living life with blinders on and striving for our piece of the pie? And to hell with those who are left in our wake. Someone else can take care of them.

How shallow are we, really?

The problems and challenges are daunting, and it’s becoming clear that those who want to tackle our many issues are growing tired and disillusioned, and their numbers are retreating. When decent people start saying that they “don’t need this shit” anymore… well, where does that leave us? Who is going to fill those voids?