Victims in North America

Yes, some people have charged that North America has become a continent of victims. Furthermore, they claim that North Americans blame others whenever things do not go their way. I for one find this propensity to be true. I sit here on my bunk in prison surrounded by inmates who will tell you all about how unfairly they were treated. These whiners spend countless hours telling each other their woes. The overtone of their conversations is "It's not fair I'm here." They blame the government, the courts, a judge, the police, their parents. In many cases, they hold the very people they harmed as responsible. Prison is but a microcosm of the society it serves. This environment has all the dysfunction and ills in it that reflect the larger community.

The prison population is climbing in the United States. Society continues to digress. Fewer people take responsibility for their actions, thoughts and emotions. The result is the government must pass more laws and stricter punishments in order to protect the dwindling set of compliant citizens.

Once men enter prison they segregate themselves into two types of offenders. Those who continue to blame, complain and excuse the circumstances they find themselves in become progressively worse. They are the ones who reoffend upon release. A smaller group is the guys who begin to take responsibility for their lives. These seek out education, counseling and self-development opportunities. No one need force them into bettering themselves. It is unfortunate that in both places: on prison yards and street corners, you will find people quick to tell you why it is not their fault.

The fearless few who look into themselves and change in order to succeed are becoming increasingly rare. People look at these sojourners and excuse themselves by saying things like: "They got lucky" or "they get all the breaks." Until this trend reverses in America, it is in for further decline. Turbulent times are ahead.

By: Patrick Rathsack T-45624
VSP D3-8-2up
PO BOX 92
CHOWCILLA, CA 93610