Madeline Crabb
Searching for character...Has anyone seen it?
By Madeline Crabb
Once upon a time in America, character mattered. Why do we no longer place utmost importance on the one trait that defines people, their character? Moreover, because we don't heavily scrutinize the character of those from whom we choose as leaders for our nation, what does this say about our character?
We were told by our parents to be careful with whom we associated, because "bad company corrupts good character." (1 Cor. 15:33 NLT) Character matters. We were taught that "A good name is more desirable than great riches." (Prov. 22:1 NIV) Because character matters. Sadly however, there has been an erosion of character. Did we just start lowering our standards? Did we become lazy?
This past week we have watched the Democratic Party scramble to cover for yet another scandal in its quest to obtain power. Emails have been discovered revealing collusion, tampering, deception, and overall funny business meant to favor Hillary Clinton. NO! Say it isn't so!
Remember, both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders told us the system is rigged. Many non-mainstream media voices have been warning the same thing for years, so nobody should be shocked that evidence actually appears to prove the case. (But watch...Hillary will soon try to tell us it's all part of that infamous Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.)
The interesting point here is that the DNC leader, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, upon realizing there was nothing she could do to cover-up the shenanigans of her party – which she more than likely orchestrated – decided to fall on her sword. (Or was forced to do so.) Even more interestingly, after her resignation, Hillary Clinton has now hired her as honorary chair of her campaign's 50-state program to help elect Democrats around the country, reports Fortune.com. Searching for character...
Here's a little history lesson for anyone who has forgotten it, or was too young to understand while it was being made. During the 1990's Bill and Hillary Clinton were co-presidents – yes, this is, as they say, right from the horse's mouth. Bill Clinton said if you elect him, "You get two for the price of one." And what a price the American people paid...
The Clintons were scandal-ridden from their days in Arkansas, Bill from as far back as his days in college. (story for another column.) But despite the appearance of questionable character, Americans elected them (two for one). Once in the White House there was one scandal upon another, culminating with the news of Bill's Monica Lewinsky trysts/hookups. She wasn't the only female with which he was committing adultery, but she became the most damaging.
So, in typical Clinton fashion of obfuscation, deflection, or lying, they developed a new mantra: "Character doesn't matter." Yes, he's a no-good, disgusting fornicator, who got caught with his proverbial pants down, but character doesn't matter. The mantra was then repeated by the Clintons, their supporters, and yes, even by the mainstream media talking heads. The whole sordid affair that involved more than just Lewinsky finally led to Clinton's impeachment on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, which also caused him to lose his law license.
In 2016, we hear the coattail-riding former co-president, senator, and secretary of state ask the question, "What difference at this point does it make anyway?" While this statement was made during her testimony to Congress about the tragedy in Benghazi, it applies to almost everything Hillary does. In her eyes, nothing she does is ever wrong. And besides, the ends justify the means, a philosophy she probably learned from her Lucifer-adoring, community organizing founder, and communist mentor/fellow traveler, the late Saul Alinsky. He devoted an entire chapter justifying the ends/means rationale in his book, Rules for Radicals.
So then, according to elitists and progressives like the Clintons and MSM sycophants, character doesn't matter...in fact, nothing matters unless they say it matters. But what happens when character no longer matters?
There was once a time in America when lawyers were not needed to conduct most private transactions between people, and many times, even for business matters. Contracts were not required for every little thing. A handshake sufficed. Moreover, in communities throughout the nation, often times only a person's word, his promise, was needed to obtain goods and services. The phrase, "My word is my bond" meant something. Actually it was as good as gold – back when character mattered. Back when integrity, honor, and truthfulness among the population constituted the rule rather than the exception. And what was the origin of the phrase, my word is my bond? The Bible.
The Bible says that if a man swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break and profane his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (Num. 30:2 AMP) Does this not mean that a man is bound by the words he speaks? Consider that a man's "breaking" of his word is considered profane, which means he shows an irreverence or contempt – perhaps for both the words he speaks and the person to whom the pledge was made.
Those of us who grew up during the 1950's and 60's experienced a much kinder, gentler nation. Were there problems? Absolutely. However, during this time, God was still honored in America. Gallup and Pew statistics listed on Wikipedia report that over ninety percent of Americans identified themselves as Christian, Catholic, or Jewish during the 1950's and until the mid-1970's when the religious falling-away began.
Because God was still honored, evil did not abound as it does today. Now we are bombarded on a daily basis with headlines about corruption in business/banking, government, education, and the Church (coincidentally, three of the four basic pillars of society); escalated redefining and disintegration of the family (the fourth pillar of society); manifold crime and murder; escalating disrespect and violence towards authority; increasing acts of foreigner-initiated terrorism; and the agenda-fueled pitting of various groups of people against one another.
Furthermore, the "attitude" of Americans is vastly different today than in the mid-20th century. While progressives mock people who remember the simpler, kinder days of our youth, the fact remains that America was predominantly a "moral society" back then. People still lived by the Golden Rule, another Bible-originating concept/belief. In fact, Jesus himself tells us to "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." (Matt. 7:12 NLT) Contrast that with today's growing me-first attitude of the multitudes: Whatever I have isn't enough, and you have too much; therefore if you don't give me what I want, I'm going to take it from you.
During the 1950's and 60's, families played board and card games, or watched television together. Going out to dinner or the movies for the average family was rare. We watched wholesome shows like Father Knows Best, the Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and Dragnet. Even if there were problems in our real families, such shows still taught children respect of and obedience to parents, respect for one another, and respect for law officers and teachers. We learned proper behavior in life, and were shown integrity in action by TV role-model fathers, mothers, teachers, businessmen, policemen, and clergy. So even with mixed messages within our own families, positive character-building lessons were being taught.
Why is any of this worth mentioning? Perhaps because it is important to realize America wasn't always so self-centered and indiscriminate. We were once a nation of people who collectively cared deeply about honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. We cared for our neighbors, and actually looked out for one another. Seemingly all the parents on any given street, in any neighborhood, knew which kids were outside playing, and were quick to call other parents when something wasn't right. It was safe. Furthermore, the principles of integrity and character we didn't maybe learn in our own homes, or from teachers at school, were often picked up from watching how our friends' parents acted. Role models.
There are countless neighborhoods across America that still display the 1950's-type culture, one based on family values. There are multitudes of families that still play board and card games, and maybe even watch some TV together. But the content of TV is not as wholesome as it was in the 50's and 60's.
Today, television promotes or glorifies the emasculation of men, divorce, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, foul language, disobedience to parents, rebellion, distrust of authority, and ridicule of Christianity. In essence, people pay huge cable bills to have loads of garbage dumped into the middle of our living rooms. Remember the saying: We are what we eat? After a constant diet of garbage, what do you think we become? Is it a people of unimpeachable character and integrity?
Benjamin Franklin commented that "Only a moral and virtuous people are capable of freedom; the more vicious and corrupt a society becomes, the more it has need of masters." It can rightfully be said that our society is becoming more vicious and corrupt. Again, read the news headlines. Moreover, look at who we choose to serve in even the highest offices of our government. The mere fact anyone in America is even considering the likes of Hillary Clinton for anything but a jail cell indicates our nation has lost both our personal and collective moral compass.
Are we still virtuous and moral people? Honestly? True people of character and integrity are no longer role models. No, we are allowing our kids to worship Hollywood, NFL, NBA, or rapper bad boys who get all the attention. What about we adults? We've lowered our standards on character, accepting the lie from proven liars, that character doesn't matter.
So, some of us are still searching for character – in our friendships, business relationships, and government leaders. But first, don't we ourselves have to become such people? Character, integrity, and moral uprightness must be restored to America, or otherwise our nation will continue to become a decaying cesspool of depravity, and a totally godless society. Are we willing to let that happen? Let's pray and become that virtuous and moral people Ben Franklin spoke about. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
July 29, 2016
Once upon a time in America, character mattered. Why do we no longer place utmost importance on the one trait that defines people, their character? Moreover, because we don't heavily scrutinize the character of those from whom we choose as leaders for our nation, what does this say about our character?
We were told by our parents to be careful with whom we associated, because "bad company corrupts good character." (1 Cor. 15:33 NLT) Character matters. We were taught that "A good name is more desirable than great riches." (Prov. 22:1 NIV) Because character matters. Sadly however, there has been an erosion of character. Did we just start lowering our standards? Did we become lazy?
This past week we have watched the Democratic Party scramble to cover for yet another scandal in its quest to obtain power. Emails have been discovered revealing collusion, tampering, deception, and overall funny business meant to favor Hillary Clinton. NO! Say it isn't so!
Remember, both Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders told us the system is rigged. Many non-mainstream media voices have been warning the same thing for years, so nobody should be shocked that evidence actually appears to prove the case. (But watch...Hillary will soon try to tell us it's all part of that infamous Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.)
The interesting point here is that the DNC leader, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, upon realizing there was nothing she could do to cover-up the shenanigans of her party – which she more than likely orchestrated – decided to fall on her sword. (Or was forced to do so.) Even more interestingly, after her resignation, Hillary Clinton has now hired her as honorary chair of her campaign's 50-state program to help elect Democrats around the country, reports Fortune.com. Searching for character...
Here's a little history lesson for anyone who has forgotten it, or was too young to understand while it was being made. During the 1990's Bill and Hillary Clinton were co-presidents – yes, this is, as they say, right from the horse's mouth. Bill Clinton said if you elect him, "You get two for the price of one." And what a price the American people paid...
The Clintons were scandal-ridden from their days in Arkansas, Bill from as far back as his days in college. (story for another column.) But despite the appearance of questionable character, Americans elected them (two for one). Once in the White House there was one scandal upon another, culminating with the news of Bill's Monica Lewinsky trysts/hookups. She wasn't the only female with which he was committing adultery, but she became the most damaging.
So, in typical Clinton fashion of obfuscation, deflection, or lying, they developed a new mantra: "Character doesn't matter." Yes, he's a no-good, disgusting fornicator, who got caught with his proverbial pants down, but character doesn't matter. The mantra was then repeated by the Clintons, their supporters, and yes, even by the mainstream media talking heads. The whole sordid affair that involved more than just Lewinsky finally led to Clinton's impeachment on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, which also caused him to lose his law license.
In 2016, we hear the coattail-riding former co-president, senator, and secretary of state ask the question, "What difference at this point does it make anyway?" While this statement was made during her testimony to Congress about the tragedy in Benghazi, it applies to almost everything Hillary does. In her eyes, nothing she does is ever wrong. And besides, the ends justify the means, a philosophy she probably learned from her Lucifer-adoring, community organizing founder, and communist mentor/fellow traveler, the late Saul Alinsky. He devoted an entire chapter justifying the ends/means rationale in his book, Rules for Radicals.
So then, according to elitists and progressives like the Clintons and MSM sycophants, character doesn't matter...in fact, nothing matters unless they say it matters. But what happens when character no longer matters?
There was once a time in America when lawyers were not needed to conduct most private transactions between people, and many times, even for business matters. Contracts were not required for every little thing. A handshake sufficed. Moreover, in communities throughout the nation, often times only a person's word, his promise, was needed to obtain goods and services. The phrase, "My word is my bond" meant something. Actually it was as good as gold – back when character mattered. Back when integrity, honor, and truthfulness among the population constituted the rule rather than the exception. And what was the origin of the phrase, my word is my bond? The Bible.
The Bible says that if a man swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break and profane his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. (Num. 30:2 AMP) Does this not mean that a man is bound by the words he speaks? Consider that a man's "breaking" of his word is considered profane, which means he shows an irreverence or contempt – perhaps for both the words he speaks and the person to whom the pledge was made.
Those of us who grew up during the 1950's and 60's experienced a much kinder, gentler nation. Were there problems? Absolutely. However, during this time, God was still honored in America. Gallup and Pew statistics listed on Wikipedia report that over ninety percent of Americans identified themselves as Christian, Catholic, or Jewish during the 1950's and until the mid-1970's when the religious falling-away began.
Because God was still honored, evil did not abound as it does today. Now we are bombarded on a daily basis with headlines about corruption in business/banking, government, education, and the Church (coincidentally, three of the four basic pillars of society); escalated redefining and disintegration of the family (the fourth pillar of society); manifold crime and murder; escalating disrespect and violence towards authority; increasing acts of foreigner-initiated terrorism; and the agenda-fueled pitting of various groups of people against one another.
Furthermore, the "attitude" of Americans is vastly different today than in the mid-20th century. While progressives mock people who remember the simpler, kinder days of our youth, the fact remains that America was predominantly a "moral society" back then. People still lived by the Golden Rule, another Bible-originating concept/belief. In fact, Jesus himself tells us to "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you." (Matt. 7:12 NLT) Contrast that with today's growing me-first attitude of the multitudes: Whatever I have isn't enough, and you have too much; therefore if you don't give me what I want, I'm going to take it from you.
During the 1950's and 60's, families played board and card games, or watched television together. Going out to dinner or the movies for the average family was rare. We watched wholesome shows like Father Knows Best, the Andy Griffith Show, My Three Sons, the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, and Dragnet. Even if there were problems in our real families, such shows still taught children respect of and obedience to parents, respect for one another, and respect for law officers and teachers. We learned proper behavior in life, and were shown integrity in action by TV role-model fathers, mothers, teachers, businessmen, policemen, and clergy. So even with mixed messages within our own families, positive character-building lessons were being taught.
Why is any of this worth mentioning? Perhaps because it is important to realize America wasn't always so self-centered and indiscriminate. We were once a nation of people who collectively cared deeply about honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. We cared for our neighbors, and actually looked out for one another. Seemingly all the parents on any given street, in any neighborhood, knew which kids were outside playing, and were quick to call other parents when something wasn't right. It was safe. Furthermore, the principles of integrity and character we didn't maybe learn in our own homes, or from teachers at school, were often picked up from watching how our friends' parents acted. Role models.
There are countless neighborhoods across America that still display the 1950's-type culture, one based on family values. There are multitudes of families that still play board and card games, and maybe even watch some TV together. But the content of TV is not as wholesome as it was in the 50's and 60's.
Today, television promotes or glorifies the emasculation of men, divorce, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, foul language, disobedience to parents, rebellion, distrust of authority, and ridicule of Christianity. In essence, people pay huge cable bills to have loads of garbage dumped into the middle of our living rooms. Remember the saying: We are what we eat? After a constant diet of garbage, what do you think we become? Is it a people of unimpeachable character and integrity?
Benjamin Franklin commented that "Only a moral and virtuous people are capable of freedom; the more vicious and corrupt a society becomes, the more it has need of masters." It can rightfully be said that our society is becoming more vicious and corrupt. Again, read the news headlines. Moreover, look at who we choose to serve in even the highest offices of our government. The mere fact anyone in America is even considering the likes of Hillary Clinton for anything but a jail cell indicates our nation has lost both our personal and collective moral compass.
Are we still virtuous and moral people? Honestly? True people of character and integrity are no longer role models. No, we are allowing our kids to worship Hollywood, NFL, NBA, or rapper bad boys who get all the attention. What about we adults? We've lowered our standards on character, accepting the lie from proven liars, that character doesn't matter.
So, some of us are still searching for character – in our friendships, business relationships, and government leaders. But first, don't we ourselves have to become such people? Character, integrity, and moral uprightness must be restored to America, or otherwise our nation will continue to become a decaying cesspool of depravity, and a totally godless society. Are we willing to let that happen? Let's pray and become that virtuous and moral people Ben Franklin spoke about. To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
