We've changed.

Dennis Prager asks,

In today's America, what is the best thing most Americans can do to make the country better?

Develop one's moral character? No. Character development now means struggle with a deeply flawed America, not a deeply flawed self.

Getting married and making a good family? No. If a female college student announced on a social medium or in class that her greatest desire was to find a good man and make a family, she would be considered pathetic, brainwashed by “the patriarchy.” If, on the other hand, she announced she would devote her life to a feminist cause or to fighting racial injustice, she would receive almost universal approbation.

Taking care of one’s family, especially one’s parents? No. This is another traditional definition of leading a good life. However, this has been subverted by three developments: first, the unprecedented number of Americans who have not made a family (i.e., a married couple with children); second, by the state taking care of more and more people — individual citizens, their children and their parents; and third, the unspoken pandemic of adult children who not only do not take care of their parents, but they have also removed them from their lives for personal or political reasons.

Going to church (or synagogue)? No. For the highly educated who believe that religion is irrelevant to character, I have always asked two questions: First, if religion is irrelevant to moral behavior, why are almost no violent criminals regular churchgoers? Second, if you were traveling in a strange city, it was midnight, you were lost, and you saw a group of young men walking toward you, would you or would you not be relieved to learn that they just had attended a Bible class?

Joining a service organization? No. In the past, almost every American who had the time joined some group that did good in his or her community. Men joined service organizations. Women volunteered in a whole host of charities such as hospitals, schools and churches. There is less volunteering today than at any time in American history.

It’s much more exciting to join a demonstration than to do any of the five things listed. And it comes with the added bonus of thinking well of oneself — without having had to do any of the tough work on one’s own character.

That, in a nutshell, is the genesis of our present existential crisis. People don’t understand that the best thing they can do for this society is to lead an individually good life and raise honorable children, not join a protest movement.

Read more here: https://www.bizpacreview.com/2021/07/13/dennis-prager-the-best-thing-most-americans-can-do-to-make-america-better-1103182/?utm_source=Push%20Notifications&utm_medium=BPR