Good Luck, and may God bless you! "We" don't need "you"!

Just think about it for a few minutes ... when was the last time that some other so-called minority group, like Swedish-Americans, or Hungarian-Americans, or Whatever-Americans ... cried and complained that "we" don't teach their children about their heritages, in our public schools? If your particular ethnic group is so proud and zealous about its "roots", then it should take it upon itself and its individual members, to teach it privately! Period! It should not be "forced" upon others, at any cost, especially those who consider themselves Americans First!

If you want to be on the "team", then learn to assimilate (integrate, absorb, merge, meld); then, maybe you might "help pull the wagon" and be regarded as a welcome "team player"; rather than a segregationist, or worse yet, an unadulterated racist! If you want to be the "star" of the team, that's quite alright also... but, you have to: work for it, go for it, and earn it!

2. Vote! Vote! Vote!

How many times do I have to say it? As a legal American citizen, when you are of the eligible age, you have both the right to vote, as well as the duty and obligation to vote! How many of the people out there who "get up on their soap-boxes", "raise hell", moan, groan, and complain to the "High Heavens" about everything that is wrong with America ... ever even bother to vote? You got it! Most of them! Some people are so "wrapped up" in their own pitiful states of hatred and animosity, that they: totally ignore their own responsibilities, neglect their own children, abuse their own families, jump in line first for hand-outs, do absolutely nothing positive or constructive, and then have the audacity to blame everything wrong on our society!

3. Take time to truly listen!

Remember the old saying which appears with the three monkeys? "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil". That little "pearl of wisdom" was never meant to mean "blind, deaf, and dumb", or in effect, totally oblivious to what is going on around you! It means: "if you don't see or hear bad things, then you won't learn them, and won't personally speak them". That's quite alright, as far as it goes, it's okay to "mind your own business"; but, when "we" see or hear "evil" (bad things), like: injustice, abuse, neglect, crime (in every form under the sun), and all of the other illegal, immoral, foul "ills" of our society, "we" must react, "we" must speak out, "we" must bring these things to the attention of our duly elected authorities.

Also, "we" must take the time to keep "notes" regarding the facts of the situation, so "we" can follow-up on the problem at hand. If the authorities are unwise enough to ignore or disregard us, then it is up to "us" to vote them out of office, and elect newer, hopefully more responsive officials.

"We" should never be so foolish as to re-elect (or allow re-election, by our failure to vote) the same unreliable people back into office, because: he's from our faith, or church, or ethnic group, or she helped "Uncle Joe" get a job (ten years ago), or some other idiotic reason. Our "watchword" to all politicians, universally, should be: "If you are unresponsive to the real needs of your constituents, then, take a hike, because there won't be a second chance". Period! This same principle should carry over to those officials who are appointed by the elected officials. If they don't honor, respect, and enforce the laws which they were sworn to uphold, then "we" should impeach them, for "malfeasance" of office! End of Story!

4. Get involved!

Take time to do something, somewhere, somehow, within your community, that is constructive and helpful to others. No matter how small a task it may be, even if only two or three hours per week, you will definitely get something out of it. I don't mean money, or pay; rather, a good feeling inside for doing something helpful; perhaps a sense of pride of accomplishment, a source of new friends or associates, a different perspective, or viewpoint. Someone wise once said, "Thy actions alone, determine thy worth."

5. Learn from the mistakes of others:

Look back into history, and recognize who, did what wrong, how, when, where, and why. Many believe that history repeats itself, roughly every twenty years or so. Have "we" learned from our forefathers, as well as from civilizations that are now extinct?

The Roman Empire was once the Conqueror and Ruler of the entire World ... where is it now? You want Freedom, Peace , and Prosperity

... then Work for it! Are "we" too blind or stupid, to look at the current world around us, and see what the constant festering of hatred can do to other nations and peoples?

Does it matter who was supposedly right, after innocent people have been murdered without real reason? Consider the plights in countries like: Northern Ireland, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Africa, and on and on. Peace and harmony can never enter a single heart that is overflowing with bitterness and hatred ... especially toward one's own brother, for something that occurred centuries ago. "Two wrongs don't make a right!" Never did! Never will !

6. Learn about anything - get an education:

Why is it that so many people complain so much about the costs of education, and then do nothing about it? Could it be just an excuse, because they are downright slovenly? All across America, we have one of the best "free" public library systems, which is probably unparalleled throughout the world. You can get as many books as you like, about any topic under the sun, and read to your heart's content ... at no cost whatsoever; unless you are late returning them. Accordingly, there is no excuse for ignorance, other than sheer laziness.

Even if you happen to be illiterate (which is another absolutely shameful societal ill), there are many "free" governmental programs, which will be happy to teach you to read. My whole point here is simply this: you may not be able to pay thousands of dollars to get a "sheepskin" or college degree; but, you can obtain a complete college education, and be just as knowledgeable as a graduate. That is, unless you are too busy complaining, to get "off your duff", and work at it. In short, if you don’t want the boat to sink, then, "start bailing." If you want the boat to go somewhere, then "grab an oar." if the boat looks terrible, get a paintbrush, use some "elbow grease", and "whistle while you work."

7. Lastly, but probably most importantly, "Keep the Faith":

Pray, Pray, Pray! The Good Lord knows "we" all need help! "We" should not only count our blessings, and thank God, every day of our lives; but also, to ask for the strength and love to care about others, especially those less fortunate than "we". In the final analysis, as humans we tend to judge others much more harshly than ourselves. It would seem that we have forgotten one of Jesus’s basic commands, namely: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." In closing, three other thoughts come to mind, namely:

The words from a popular song, which tell the whole story,

"He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother";

Then, those beautiful words from a religious anthem:

"..if there will be peace on the earth, let it begin with me";

And finally, an old proverb, which states:

"There, but for the Grace of God, go I."

Author’s Footnote: Eleven years later, after some editing and revisions, I believe the majority of the above is still very pertinent to today’s societal problems. I can only hope that my purpose to provide both a "wake-up call" and some positive suggestions is recognized herein. While "Hope may spring Eternal"

nothing surpasses hard work and dedication to one’s cause.