Well, I'm not sure what you're saying now. It seems most of what you have described is the "utopian" or ultimate goal, which is fine, but when do you expect to see any of it happen? Did you see the report that drug use among teenagers is on the rise, especially marajuana and Ecstacy? After all the 80's ads about Just Say No and drug use dipping through the late 80's to early 90's, it's on the rise again. That's only 10 years! As political people get into power, priorities change and funding changes. Laws change. Heck, Clinton wanted to have pardons go through him instead of the Justice Department after it's been done that way for however many years! And now Bush is reverting (I think) back to the old way of doing things...
My point is that you need a massive shift of public opinion NOW to do anything, and that's not going to happen. Period. Look at Columbine... schools instituted No Tolerance policies and just two years later have to revise/rethink them because of kids carrying over the counter drugs or trying to help out by taking away weapons from others and instead getting charged for it.
Honesty follows responsibility, which follows discipline... there was just a report on why people lie on Dateline last night. People were getting caught on tape for ignoring a 35 CENT TOLL and when confronted, STILL DENIED IT! Which carried a $75 fine and a ticket... And I'm sure (going out on a limb here) most of those people are pretty responsible and disciplined.
Sure, part of the problems are parents. No disagreement there. But let's not blind ourselves in thinking that's the ONLY problem. The problem could be you and me, not getting involved when we should. The problem could be politicians. The problem could be media influence. The problem could be all of those put together.
My point is that you need a massive shift of public opinion NOW to do anything, and that's not going to happen. Period. Look at Columbine... schools instituted No Tolerance policies and just two years later have to revise/rethink them because of kids carrying over the counter drugs or trying to help out by taking away weapons from others and instead getting charged for it.
Honesty follows responsibility, which follows discipline... there was just a report on why people lie on Dateline last night. People were getting caught on tape for ignoring a 35 CENT TOLL and when confronted, STILL DENIED IT! Which carried a $75 fine and a ticket... And I'm sure (going out on a limb here) most of those people are pretty responsible and disciplined.
Sure, part of the problems are parents. No disagreement there. But let's not blind ourselves in thinking that's the ONLY problem. The problem could be you and me, not getting involved when we should. The problem could be politicians. The problem could be media influence. The problem could be all of those put together.