This editorial ran in today’s Moscow-Pullman Daily News.
I take on the fact that most of our problems can be traced to the Democrats’ refusal to enforce laws already on the books.
Our culture is at a tipping point, weakened by a lack of concern and a slide in personal values, leading to a society where disregard for the law is becoming the norm. The chaos this breeds is bound to escalate.
Self-discipline starts at home with parents teaching their children self-government, yet we’ve indulged generations, coddling them to prioritize feelings and instant gratification over hard work and resilience. This trend has snowballed into a government that prioritizes diversity, inclusion, and equity (DIE) over merit, lawfulness, and order.
For instance, visas are a key part of a country’s border control and immigration policy. Visas are a tool used by countries to regulate the entry of foreign nationals. By issuing visas, a country can verify not only the number of people entering but also the purpose of their visit, whether it be for tourism, work, study, or immigration, and for how long. This process allows a government to set criteria based on various factors like economic needs, security concerns, and foreign relations policies.
The Biden Administration’s unwillingness to enforce existing immigration laws is indicative of the larger trend of chaos among Democrats. California, for example, has set a threshold where any theft under a $950 is a misdemeanor, and misdemeanor theft is not prosecuted. Unsurprisingly, this policy encourages anarchy.
Further, the approach toward crime has shifted. During incidents of theft, employees and security personnel are instructed not to intervene, to ensure not being labeled a racist. This non-action can is an extension of the soft bigotry of low expectations, where certain behaviors are tolerated based on the color of one’s skin.
During a recent street takeover in Compton, CA, a car was repeatedly backed into Ruben’s Mexican Bakery before looters took over the store. They scattered debris and left the bakery with significant damage by the time police arrived. This “mostly peaceful looting” involved over 100 people. But despite the chaos and damage, the lack of arrests afterward sends a clear message that accountability is no longer a priority and that even the most straightforward crimes are beyond control.
‘Law enforcement’ does not mean anything of the kind anymore. This upside-down mentality is a reflection of our society’s downfall: the corrosion of values. When the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture ascribed qualities like “hard work,” “rational thinking,” “plan for future,” “delayed gratification,” and “being polite” to “whiteness” or “white culture,” it insinuates such traits are not foundational human values.
The Book of Proverbs was composed some 3,000 years ago by ancient Semites who, incidentally, were not “white” by today’s racial categorizations. The wisdom found in Proverbs is universal, celebrating hard work and responsibility—basic values that belong to all cultures. They teach us that success comes from being proactive and diligent:
- Learn from the ant, which works hard without needing orders.
- Hard work leads to prosperity, while laziness leads to poverty.
- Being industrious can lead to valuable rewards.
- Laziness is a difficult path, but integrity leads to a smooth journey.
- Neglecting your work is as bad as causing destruction.
- Laziness can lead to hunger.
- If you don’t prepare, you’ll have nothing when it’s time to reap the rewards.
- Too much sleep can lead to poverty, but staying alert can bring success.
- A lazy person’s desires can be their downfall if they don’t act on them.
- Neglect can ruin what you have; take action to avoid poverty.
These teachings are echoed in other ancient texts from different cultures. China’s Confucius also stressed the value of hard work, likening it to sharpening tools before crafting. The Bhagavad Gita from India encourages doing one’s duty actively and without concern for personal gain. These texts from diverse backgrounds all agree hard work and personal effort are keys to a fulfilling life.
The essence of merit, hard work, and personal responsibility transcends borders, cultures, and historical epochs. Our policies, be they immigration or domestic law enforcement, should reflect these timeless values. By upholding standards that reward diligence and discourage lawlessness, we honor the principles that have long been recognized as foundational to success and societal stability.
Neglecting these tenets invites a society where law and equality succumb to anarchy and prejudice. This abandonment heralds a fragmented nation, where rampant injustice and disparity reign, systematically dismantling the pillars of societal unity and eroding the fundamental ideals of equality under the law and shared community values that have long been our strength.