Joliet Central High School

Joliet, Illinois

Teacher: Mr. Reilly

Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You,

But What You Can Do For Your County.

by Benjamin Glen Johnson

 

To improve life is a relative statement. One might seek, as many do, financial improvement, which is and will always be a prominent driving force. In contrast some may seek a deeper, emotional improvement. Such is obtained in unselfish, giving, and many times non-profit activities. Whichever aspect one chooses the fact that personal responsibility plays a major role is a given. Personal responsibility is a virtue that is learned your entire life through experiences, good and bad. It runs hand and hand with maturity, and is basically being able to make decisions that will be advantageous, not only for one’s self  but to the community. Personal responsibility can be compared to self-reliance and the transcendentalist philosophy. In short, personal responsibility is essential in the improvement of the quality of life. Marriage is one example that required a great level of personal responsibility. If that is not present than the agreement can quickly crumble; divorce as a example. Community service, volunteer work, and economics are exact demonstrations of personal responsibility.

 

Marriage, the most scared bond between people. A promise to love one another “till death do you part”. Or whenever we are having rough times. All too often in American society families, often with children are broken apart because the parents were not ready. This bond is becoming more and more frivolous. From a time when dating wasn’t considered until “Mr. Right” came along. To the present, when some marry at legal age. Clearly something is wrong. Blame can be placed on personal responsibility or the lack thereof. When you are deciding whom you want to spend the rest of your life with, a level of maturity is definitely needed. It is a good idea to build a sound and lasting relationship before exchanging vows. Marriage is becoming a tool to signify commitment. However ironic in the sense that sometimes the participants are not committed. Although it is not to say that all marriages end abruptly. Cohabitation is an effective way of experimenting whether or not you will be able to take the big step before you do. Personal responsibility is extremely important in this part of life because the decisions that are made effect not only your lives but the lives of you innocent children. Marriage is a beautiful experience. Furthermore, it is wise to be ready to take it at it’s fullest extent.

 

Personal responsibility is equally important in the community. Again improvement is a term of opinion. It can mean that technology is getting more advanced, people are becoming richer, and living longer. In which case one might say society is doing great. Although these examples are a result of personal responsibility, they are certainly not the only of significance to the community. For example, feeding the poor, providing for the community youth and making a safe environment for all. Most of these services are done by everyday people in a non-profit fashion. Others contributed by the government. With the non-profit contributors in mind it can be said they improve not only their lives, but all who benefit from their actions. Many volunteers are retirees who seek enjoyment or just plain entertainment. Many youths volunteer also. Community service programs help society in a grand way. In addition, most high schools require community service of their graduates. This expectancy is a great idea, it gets young people into the community where they are needed; hospitals, shelters, private homes, etc. These students both earn community service hours and improve the quality of their lives through the feeling one gets from simply helping another. Once someone feels that satisfaction they are compelled to give more. So the key to finding life long volunteers and givers, it to get them involved early. The education system does a wonderful job of this, although it could be started in an earlier grade. As far as a worthy cause goes, helping someone is just as important in your neighborhood as it is in an institution. It’s what you put into the time you donate, not where you donate it at.

 

The economy and how people interact in it is another ground for personal responsibility. The most evident problem today it poverty. Families with multiple children with no jobs receiving welfare. This is huge place for personal responsibility. It is imperative that the community and the government motivate people who receive welfare to find employment. This can be done through work programs run by the government. Ultimately, though it come down the activism of the recipients. Again responsibility is a factor. When work is found people boost not only their own self-esteem but the economy as well. Effectively reducing the amount of money spent on welfare and subsequently taxes paid therefore. However idealistic, a start has to be made somewhere. The ramifications of the negligence of this problem are disturbing. We are telling our youth that is ok to fail or to drop out of school and do nothing with you life. Our focus should be to motivate our citizens to excel in school and to succeed. Not only will this reinvest the hearts of millions into the government it will make America a better place to live.

 

In conclusion, personal responsibility is extremely important to the improvement of the community for a multitude of reasons. In the application of marriage it keeps families together, thus making for a safer environment to raise children in. Likewise it keeps families doomed to breakup from ever forming. In the community it has a greater impact. Personal responsibility makes for a community where the citizens are active and willing to help, an important attribute for a safe town. In the economy personal responsibility can motivate people to the pursuit of happiness. Also, it can encourage our children to make a difference with their lives. America is the home of the free. To keep it that we have to be willing to help not only our selves but each other. That’s the mark of a great nation, America.

 

 

  Quotations:

 

  1) “Mr. Right” found in line 38 is a reference to the supposed person whom one is destine to     love.   

  2) “Till death do you part” in line 30 and 31 is an excerpt from the ceremony of Holy Matrimony.

Answers  To Question

 

1) Society invests in marriage through the economic exchanges that happen because of a growing family, such as buying a house. Also society “invests” in marriage with thought. Marriage signifies a new life, which is respected by society. By investing the put faith into the marital process.

 

2) Couple 1 - Married for 12 years. ”To keep ensure a long marriage you have to             communicate and always be open for suggestions.”

    Couple 2 – Married for 5 years. “You will share everything with your husband and you will learn to love him for everything that he is, patience is a must.

    Couple 3 – Married for 43 years. “Always talk things out and get both sides of the story. Never assume anything or you might hurt the ones you really love.”

    Couple 4 – Married for 1 year 4 months. “Humor is a big thing, you can’t let something dumb get you all worked up, compromise.”

    Couple 5 – Married 23 years. “Everything will be smooth sailing until you have kids, that’s when the real challenge comes. Take everything in strides”

    Couple 6 – Married 57 years. ”You have to compromise, accept the fact that although you love you husband, you don’t have identical personalities, and you won’t always agree.

    Couple 7 – Married 19 years. “ There will be ups and downs, but don’t let the bad times make you think it’s over because you know that there is nobody else you love as much.”

    Couple 8 – Married 31 years. “Make sure you are completely ready for any big decisions you make, and always talk to your wife about them.”

    Couple 9 – Married 15 years “Work you behind off to make your wife happy and, so when the time comes, to provide for your family.”

    Couple 10 – Married 22 years. “You are in this together, so you have to always think of the both of you, not just yourself. Marriage is great as long as you don’t make you wife made at you.”

 

According to Richard Eckersley we should try to achieve a community where      everyone is happy and safe. Even though is might not be a town full of rich people. Money is not the only thing that matters, you need a community of caring people.

 

My community could make a very worthy effort to clean up the city. If everyone just cleaned up after himself or herself then the community could be such a great place. Small things can make a big goal possible. 

 

“Tomorrow’s Child” has some validity to it, although is seems a bit extreme. However, there are many latchkey kids due the fact that their parents work during the day. As long as the kids were brought up in a friendly home, this is not a problem.

 

Kathleen Sullivan points out a good issue. While lawyers are an instrumental tool in justice, protecting human right for example. Their ability to twist the already flexible constitution to their will make more havoc than prosperity sometimes.

 

Regulations are a better alternatives that damages. In some cases damages are nothing but motivation to sue for spending money. Regulations would not only stop bad practice, but also stop seven figure payouts because somebody isn’t smart enough to make sure their coffee cup is secure, or that the floor is wet.

 

Settles baby-boomers will one, make new business boosting the economy. Two, provide jobs to younger workers creating gray business. Three, bring years of experience and create a more competitive business world.

 

Clinton’s program will make a difference, the three issues have definite potential to work. The first entices companies to invest with a higher return rate. Th second with give people the insurance they need to start a new business and the third will help local project greatly by providing loans for locals.

 

 One, Both Truett and Tom started their own businesses from nothing.

 Two, Tom and Truett both server as protectorates of the U.S.A.

 Three, Both men risked all they had and against the opinion of others followed their               hearts and did what the dreamed of, and they made an impact.