How can we make things better?

I am one of those classic Martians - I need to fix things. If you look at almost everything I do, it involves fixing things in some ways.

I think everyone will agree that there is something broken in the world.

It is tough to know if there is something new that is broken, or that we have just become aware of how bad things have always been. We have all compared things to "the good old days", but if we really look at the times before ours, things were not always so good. So are things really worse now than they have been in the past?

I think they are, and here is my reasoning why... I have a theory, a feeling, that despite what the pundits in the media tell us, that a persons decisions and actions can generally be predicted by their stand on a single issue: abortion. I am going to further propose that, in very simple terms, supporting abortion in any way is bad and renders most of that persons decisions bad, and that a person who opposes abortion in any way generally makes good decisions. I know I am going to get a lot of flack for this position, but hear me out, and let's talk about it.

If you look at most of the problems in the world today, they can be attributed to greed. Greed is putting yourself first and formost and not sacrificing for anything. Abortion is fundamentally an act of selfishness, the ultimate selfishness in my opinion. You and another person have taken an action that resulted in the creation of another life. Rather than accept responsibility for that creation, a decision is made to end it.

A person who supports abortion at some level, conscious or not, believes that some lives have more value than others; they believe this to the extent some lives may be ended for the convenience of another. If you can believe that about a human being, a child conceived, what does that say about the decisions you make in other aspects of your life? If you can take a life, why not take more money than you need, or take a chance with someone else s money, or take out a loan that you cannot afford because you can always declare bankruptcy? You are worth it, aren't you?

Pope John Paul II had a concept he called the "Law of the Gift". As I understand it, this is a fundamental call to service to another that is in the heart of every person who believes in and accepts God into their lives. Some people today seem to not be driven by this fundamental law. Some people deny the existence of God, His influence in their lives, and this is demonstrated in a public way by their position on abortion.

Like all things, this is not an absolute. A very wise English teacher and friend told me once never to assume, and never to say always... Thank you, Mrs. C.

So how can we fix this problem? How do we bring the Law of the Gift back into the hearts of all people? How do we restore a radical call to service, to God and to your fellow man, in the hearts of people? I wish I knew...

Just think how the world would be different. The Bill Gates of the world would be known for their creations instead of the billions of dollars they amassed. Investors would invest based on the true value of a company instead of taking gambles and pumping a worthless stock to make a quick dollar. Normal people would make decisions on how they spend their resources based on what they can afford instead of how much credit they can get.

We are back to the question of how we change the heart of the world.

I think this generation is lost. Most likely, our childrens generation is for the most part lost as well. I think all we can do - other than pray, constantly pray - is to teach our children that they are their brothers keeper. We do have a responsibility to our fellow person. We do have to accept responsibility for all of our actions, good and bad. And maybe someday, our grandchildren or great grandchildren will live in a different world.

Like the old Crosby Stills Nash and Young song - "Teach your children well". Pray unendingly. And never lose faith.