Lyle Northey (Silent/Boomer)

Self-pity is the driving factor behind all of our worst problems.

We have a daily dose, or so it seems, of someone taking their frustrations and self-pity on others by getting a gun and killing as many people as possible. These big, bad, and brave sob’s pick schools, movie theaters and churches, nursing homes and other places people gather to impress upon society and a few very unfortunate individuals just how bad they feel for themselves. 

We have segments of society that believe themselves to be better than others that target businesses and homes of people they don’t like and destroy as much as possible, leaving signs like, “Go Back to Where You Came From”. Yet another example of self-pity that leads to destructive ends.

The killers are bad, and the vandals are not much better, but the worst of the lot are the politicians that take it upon themselves to determine they are going to create laws and an environment that all must live in, under my rules. The governors of Texas and Florida come to mind with the senseless rules on education, ban or burn books. Don’t allow certain things to be discussed in schools and no control over the possession or carrying of weapons. They feel sorry for themselves because even though they are personally in a position of power they know they cannot make everyone do as they have been told. This just isn’t right because when I was a child mommy always let me have my way and now that is not happening, and I don’t like it.

One Senator is bound to stop the President’s programs at all costs. The programs may be just what is needed. It is just that we are opposing political parties and I want my opinion to be the rule everyone follows, not his. 

Everyone wants to be the best, and we hear it from all sorts of sources. The Roman Catholic faith is the one true religion. The Seahawks are the best football team, Paris is the most beautiful city in the world. All claims that may be true for some but not for all and if the fact that others do not agree with you is more than you can stand that is too bad but just like today tomorrow the sun will rise in the east, get over it.

When it comes to education, we must continue to teach history and not leave out the ugly bits. We don’t need to celebrate them, but we do need to address them as they are a part of who we are and we need to do all within our power to insure that the ugly bits are not part of our now or our future.

The media and social media are filled with comments that can best be described as “Oh Pity Me”. Most have nothing to seek pity for, they just want to see if they can use a social platform to hurt, harm, or destroy someone they do not like or that just happens to be the target of the day.

Many businesses took it upon themselves to move the hub of their manufacturing out of the country. The unions expected too much, decent wages, health care benefits, retirements, and so forth. This is cutting into the profit margin for the investors, and the company executives that are all looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The more we have to pay the labor force the less our bonus will be. So, pity me, do not think of all the people that are losing their jobs, homes and futures because the only one that makes a difference is me.