There has been unending hand wringing about teen drug use, pregnancy, and dismal academic performance. As a garnish, we are also in the midst of an epidemic of teen obesity. There have been unending government programs to “combat” these problems. Some of them may have helped temporarily but most are run by pimps that simply enjoy slopping at the public trough. All of the aforementioned has been abetted by government, particularly the Federal Government.

Divorce is a major contributor to this frightening mess as is societal acceptance of out of wedlock births. Consistent with the latter, it is now considered mean spirited and politically incorrect to identify children of unwed parent(s) as bastards. The modern parlance no longer countenances calling unpleasant things what they are. Until recently divorce was frowned upon by Americans and was therefore rare. Those who attended government schools in the fifties and early sixties will strain to remember more than one or two classmates with divorced parents. Now that number will approach half. Our nation’s “youth problems” are in lock step.

Parents that came of age in the “just do it” 60s and 70s found it convenient to “just do it” rather than accept the responsibility of raising their children. They thought that drug use was peachy and were disinclined to be as authoritarian as they remembered their parents. That required the dreaded “judgment.” It was not often mentioned, but that disinclination was simply a convenient abdication of responsibility.

In America we get the government that we deserve. We could have the government that we want or need, but that might interfere with the “pursuit of (temporary) happiness” and require taking a decision. The government we deserve created the welfare state and declared the previously serious marriage contract to be an inconvenience, easily mitigated. The results surround us.

Most parents want Johnnie to read, eat his vegetables, do well in school, and stay out of trouble. Meanwhile, they are never seen reading anything but the sports’ page, defer all education decisions to government bureaucrats, eat junk food, and give almost half of their earnings to their oppressors. A staggering number never shook their drug habits and routinely smoke weed or worse. Perhaps the drug induced euphoria convinces them that their children do not notice.

While all will wax poetic about how important their children are, most Moms have full time jobs. They might claim the income is needed, but never considered the possibility of living in a smaller house, driving one car, or eating out less often. After child care, an uptick in the tax bracket, clothes, etc, the extra few dollars are rarely worth the disruption and delegation of parental supervisory responsibility. But then, Mom is fulfilled.

Essentially, many parents that came of age in the 60s or later never grew up. They remained married long enough to have children who were often indulged but rarely “parented.” Insofar as these “adults” did not want to be accused of being judgmental, bastard children, drug use, declining personal responsibility, and eroding educational expectations were simply accepted.

The least financially advantaged, particularly inner city minorities, have suffered the most with out of wedlock births at 70%, gang banging, rampant drug use, and even worse schools. As long as they remain in the same pattern they and their children are condemned – the rest of us are not far behind.

Have you stopped to think about how important getting involved in the fight for our liberties is? What do you plan to do about your conclusions?

About Bruce Karlson: Born New Jersey, enlisted in the Navy 1960, discharged in 1964, Kean College – BA, Fordham University – MBA. Sold computers in NYC’s financial district, retired 1992. Divorced, two high school aged children. Interests include bridge, history, politics and cooking.

This day in History March 6:
1857: The Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott case slaves were not citizens. The Supreme Court has often been very wrong.

Yesterday’s Rasmussen Presidential Index had Obama at- 14

Have you read this week’s “Betcha didn’t know this..” page? It’s loaded with interesting little “bite size” items you’re bound to enjoy.

Comments on this or any other Collins Report essay can be sent to kcoachc “at” gmail.com