What did your mother teach you?

In this time of confusion and frustration--time of pondering the wisdom of the masses and the people who claim they know the best for everyone--I have a question for you. All of you.
What did your mother teach you?
Now I know not everyone had a mother that nutured and cared for them. Many lost their mothers due to death, or illness, or addiction or anything else you can name. But along with that, there were very many who did have mothers. Mothers who cared and taught and loved and hoped the best for them. LOTS of mothers. Okay...so I don't have the statistics--we'll just go with how I grew up. And--let me say, I grew up with a foster mother, so I didn't even have the normal 'mothering' that I'm talking about.
In my little California neighborhood, we lived by a Catholic Church, a jr. high, an LDS Chapel, walking distance to a library and high school, on the outskirts of a large bustling city. My neighborhood itself had probably 15 to 20 houses on it, and almost all of them had families. Of those families, most of them had mothers that were at home. Not all of them--but most.
Mine, my next door neighbor, the neighbor across the street, the two neighbors around the corner, and so on. ;)
We all played during the summer together and went to school together from the time we were in grade school thru my first year of high school--with a few move-outs and move-ins.
The block just behind my house, was probably pretty much the same, but I didn't really know anyone there.
No one besides the Hispanic family that would come around and sell home made Tamales every year. My family always bought some, but I didn't like them. I like the corn meal outer stuff, but never the inside. My tastes have changed since then, thank you very much.
We were all of average income--some more, some less. The main thing we had in common, were our mothers all taught us pretty much the same thing.
Don't lie. Don't steal. Don't hit. Be nice to your brother/sister/neighbor. Share your stuff. Take care of your friends.
I had friends that were from different walks of life--Mexican, caucasian, black, etc. It was the way the world was. We enjoyed the differences and each other. I remember going to a friends house for lunch and her family hand made their own tortillas. It was my first time tasting real Mexican food. It was amazing.
Let's jump ahead now about 30 years. What are the mothers teaching their children now?
Most of you would say the same stuff they were then--but I beg to differ.
How many of the moms are home during the day? And when they are home at night, how much time do they spend with their children? (I know--many of them are not due to their own choice, but necessity--they are amazing women)
Children are left with video games, television, ipods, and friends who don't have mother's at home either.
Their mothers are still wanting to teach them the same values they had been taught, but it doesn't seem to be coming through. I work in an elementary school. I see these kids and watch their minds work.
They figure if it's there, and no one is actually holding it in their hand--it's now theirs. They figure if their parents aren't sitting on their shoulders telling them to be polite and respect others, they don't have to. These kids are some of the rudest, obnoxious kids you've ever met. And believe me, the older they get, the worse it gets. My husband works in high schools and middle schools...he's seen it all.
On the other hand...there are some really sweet kids who are nice and care and try to do what's right. I have two fourth graders that come and visit me when they are supposed to be outside for recess that are a prime example. Both are clean, well dressed, and manerly. One of them is concerned about her grades and homework. The other one could care less. I can see what they will be like in 5 years. The one will be getting straight A's, and the other will be on the chearleading squad, barely squeaking by. (not to malign cheerleaders, they have to keep those grades up too) I even told them that one day when they were talking about it, and she didn't care. She sees no need.
Who do you think taught our soldiers? Our leaders? The President?
Personally, I thank God that our soldiers were taught to defend and guard and protect. I am thankful that SOME of our leaders are trying their best to lead us to better times.
I just with some of them had gotten the message...
This past sunday was Mother's day. Do you honor your mother? What did she teach you?

So, did you get any mexican food yesterday?

So - shall I see how many people I can annoy right off the bat? How many of you tried to eat at a 'real' mexican restaurant yesterday and couldn't because it was closed? Hmm? Not very many, huh?

How about those of you who teach...how many of you had students missing because they were joining their parents on the march to the capitol? THAT many? Interesting.

I find it interesting for two reasons:
1-I teach in an elementary school, where the kids are having a tough enough time learning the basics, let alone the fact that perhaps they don't all speak the same language (gee...like some of them just came from Mexico last night after going back for two months and don't remember anything they were taught in the months before that?) but they are expected to protest against a law that their parents broke because they were encouraged to do so...
2- It's confusing a lot of people, because they really aren't quite sure why the marching was going on...I mean, we all have hispanic friends, right? We all love mexican food and we all have a smattering of spanish under our belts. That doesn't mean that our lives depend on them.

HMMMMM....

You know, I guess it's easy for me to say--being on this side of the picture, but things are really whacked out there. LA probably got the most effect because they are probably about 75% hispanic at this point. Have you been there recently? Remember Independence day and the guy on the television asking all the Los Angelinos to stop shooting at the spacecraft? Los Angelinos? Heavens. San Diego has quite the population as well. The hotel staffs probably suffered a lot too.

I agree that there needs to be something done about this situation. I agree that it has gotten out of hand. But-offering amnesty to ANYONE who has crossed the border from Mexico doesn't work. I read an article about a person who was in a crowd of over 200 that were receiving their citizenships. They had only waited 18 months. They challenged all of those who were upset about this issue to do it the right way. I agree.

I understand, however, that there are difficulties that should change. It shouldn't be a difficult or expensive thing for someone to seek citizenship. They shouldn't feel like they are bribing the authorities to get the paperwork through. This isn't China and an adoption agency.

Obviously, I'm not running for president. Nor, am I running for any political office - since I would loose. But, I think those that are letting the MINORITY that is rapidly turning into a MAJORITY in our nation rule the laws and the way things are run, need to take a second look.

There needs to be a change somewhere. Where do you think it should start?