Disneyland and the problem of “a culture of fantasy”

Americans love Disneyland. It’s the "happiest place on Earth". It’s the place where “all your dreams come true”. The problem is that the happiness is not real, and dreams are only temporarily fulfilled.

These seemingly positive effects only last as long as visiting families’ bank accounts allow (and with $5 hotdogs and $300 hotel rooms, this isn’t long for most Americans). On the trip home the reality of squandered savings and rapid resumption of day-to-day life can only seem more depressing. And so the urge to return to false happiness is almost immediate.

This type of fantasy is a drug. It circumvents our normal feelings of happiness and content that are there to reward us for working on our lives and in our communities to improve them. Instead of enjoying the satisfaction of working hard to make real improvements at home, fantasy vacations (Disneyland, Las Vegas, cruises to nowhere) only provide opportunities to flee real problems and avoid opportunities for improved living.

Americans have a cultural background of seeking opportunities for a better life. Fantasy vacations take advantage of this tendency and misappropriate resources and energy that should be devoted to real accomplishment.

Real improvement in our lives is the only thing that should make us happy.

Finally, an example of responsible behavior in public school

Texas School District Will Let Teachers Carry Guns

Check the story out here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,404721,00.html

This public school district will allow teachers with permits to carry concealed handguns in class.

This is an EXCELLENT example of taking responsibility for one's own safety and that of the community. We have a moral obligation to defend our communities. The legal nature of this obligation has essentially been forgotten - you can read about it here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/311.html

If you depend on the government or local law inforcement for your personal safety, you are a victim waiting to happen.

Where is the tar? Rip open that pillow for feathers

I seem to remember from so very long ago that is was essentially impossible as a young adult to "stay out of trouble". The urge is so dammed strong - and after having kids I understand that proliferation of the human race has depended upon the early magnitude of this drive.

Back then a couple of beers, some laughing and dancing and the next thing you knew clothes were flying off. While they were still in the air you knew you may regret it later, but in the heat of the moment there was little that mere mortal young adults could do about it.

As a middle-aged man I can only look back fondly on the fur having flown. Like trying to read anything without glasses, it just ain't going to happen again.

With maturity there is more control - and there is more reason to be controlled. I have a duty to my wife and family to behave. To misbehave is to jeapordize their welfare. When we were young, single and stupid we put ourselves at risk, which sometimes caused problems, but not for others that we made commitments to.

Now a large fraction of our society has accepted immature behavior engaged in by full-grown men who know better - "its just lying about sex..."

No, it is not just lying about sex when you're a married man with children - it's a despicable betrayal of those who should be able to trust you the most.

When you're a public figure who an entire nation of children and young adults look to for an example of how to behave, it is a serious crime.

When you betray a spouse who is battling a life-threatening disease...it becomes horrible beyond description.

The fact that we as a society are tolerating this should be clear evidence that we need REAL "Change We Can Believe In". This isn't part of the socialism that Obama is selling.

I have a dream

I'm not writing this from the viewpoint that I'm better - I've screwed-up plenty and have let others down - but I recognize the value of trying very hard to do my best to avoid future bad behavior (but I know damn well that I’ll screw-up again).

It bothers me that "trying very hard to do your best" to be responsible seems to have become unfashionable.

Cynicism toward good behavior has crept into our culture. This is a real danger to us all.

It has become clear to me that America is threatened by this increasingly pervasive lack of expectation of personal responsibility.

A free society depends upon the responsible behavior of its citizens.

As free men and women as part of a greater society it is essential to recognize that we have social duties and responsibilities.

Good social order depends upon our collective fairness, honesty and service to ourselves, our families and our community.

This seemed to be well-appreciated through about WWII and then something happened - but I'm not sure exactly what.

I intend to use this blog to document some of the cases of irresponsibility that I become aware of, and analyze their impact and possible resolution.

I hope that this may ultimately result in development of strategies to restore the expectation of personal responsibility that is so important to our free society.