By Kimberly Smith

I’m torn...
And the youth of today is split right down the middle along with me.

Behaviors that were once considered “unacceptable” in our society have literally saturated every neighborhood throughout America.

We have equipped gang members, mobsters, and celebrities--that act as though they are above the law--with a healthy helping of recognition, and have indirectly encouraged our nation’s young people to follow in their footsteps.

In a sense, it’s almost good to be bad.

Many of these negative influences have become somewhat exempt from facing the consequences associated with their crime(s) and/or behavior(s). In fact, they are often protected by our own legal red tape and then rewarded with the luxury of shatterproof glass houses.

Anything goes now…doesn’t it?

I don’t mean to be the one to rain on everyone’s parade, but the truth is that no matter how hard some of us try to instill decent morals and values into our children, they’re viciously bombarded with situations that scream out that justice is indeed in favor of those with the larger bank accounts and that really pisses me off!

Kids today are swallowed up by the overwhelming power of the media. What they see on T.V. or read in magazines has a different affect on them then it has on adults. To a child, there is no definitive line between the reality for a “normal” person and that of an individual with some form of public exposure, which leads them to the assumption that they don’t really have to be “responsible” for whatever they do; that there’s always a way to get out of it.

Time and time again, we witness those with great financial means smugly dismiss the judicial process as if it were nothing more than a waste of their time. I am busting my ass trying to keep my own kids in check, and it sickens me once I realize that the world around me has gotten comfortable with turning the other cheek.

What’s going on people?

Why doesn’t the punishment fit the crime anymore?

Why are child molesters getting second chances?
Why do abusive individuals get a second, third, fourth, or fifth opportunity to harm another; sometimes killing their defenseless victim(s) in the process?
Why do rapists get to put more notches on their belts?

And the question I really have to ask: Why do we accept this?
Our world has taken a backseat on “stepping up!”

The children of our future are constantly at risk. Back when I was growing up, things happened, sure--but never to the level of acceptance we live with today. Lawmakers need to restructure the laws to PROTECT the innocent and PUNISH the guilty.

Stop masking society’s problems with a false sense of security!

As long as WE allow the system to exonerate those that are truly guilty of a crime(s), WE will NEVER be able to protect those that NEED the protection!

Can you tell that I’m outraged?

Good…because I am.

I am witnessing first hand how our society has “glorified” breaking the law and the ultimate impact that has been bestowed upon our young people. Kids are throwing their lives away before it’s had a chance to really get started.

And at the root of it all are the parents!

I fear that a great number of parents are really sucking at their job. (Yeah…I said it!) The idea of “family” has taken on new meaning, and unfortunately, their children are paying the price for it. If kids aren’t learning at home what they need to know to succeed in life, they’re getting the short end of the stick.

Over all, we’ve gotten very selfish and some of us have put our families on the lower end the totem pole. The same ambition that drives us has also driven us away from what is really important…our children. And then there are those that have never cared about their kids to begin with, and in my opinion, should just hand them over to those that will nurture them properly.

Yes, this is all very harsh—but someone needs to be.

Twenty years from now, life is going to be unbearable if we continue to let things go.

If you have the opportunity (and you do) to raise your voice…be heard! I beg you to do it! There is so much at stake; now, and most certainly in the future. If you also believe that we are over-tolerant today, imagine how that progression will affect your own children…and then their children!

We can’t excuse behaviors of the rich and famous because they’re rich and famous. That’s crap people! C’mon!!! Hold them accountable and then maybe…just maybe…the youth of today will once again be fearful of consequences.

Before I drag this out any longer, remember that you can only make a difference if you actually get INVOLVED! Otherwise, you can’t bitch when you walk out into the mall parking lot to discover that your car has been stolen…by a thirteen year old being initiated into a local gang.

Whether you like it or not, this is exactly where we’re headed unless we ALL do something about it!