Across the United States, several social trends are drawing attention. School absenteeism has increased, marriage and birth rates have reached historic lows, fewer young adults are able to buy homes, and mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness are widespread.
These issues are seen as interconnected signs of a deeper problem: a decline in connection, commitment, and community. The editorial notes that society once honored individuals who contributed to building and supporting others—such as inventors, entrepreneurs, teachers, mothers, and fathers—and valued perseverance over perfection. Quoting Thomas Sowell, it observes that there has been a shift from gratitude for what is present to focusing on unmet desires: “we have drifted into a time where we no longer count our blessings but instead our unfulfilled wishes. We honor the complainers and sue the creators.”
The editorial also cites philosopher Sir Roger Scruton: “Our language, our music and our manners are increasingly raucous, self-centered and offensive, as though beauty and good taste have no real place in our lives.” According to the author, this cultural change risks undermining society’s ability to build and serve.
A proposed solution is to move from an individualistic focus (“me”) back toward collective responsibility (“we”). This includes supporting strong families with two-parent homes when possible and involving grandparents in children’s lives. The piece argues that both data and common sense show children benefit from being surrounded by love, discipline, and stability. It also calls for rejecting low expectations for students facing challenges or disabilities.
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the editorial states: “love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” It also references Billy Graham: “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’” Both quotes highlight themes of compassion over judgment.
The author shares a personal reflection about their late father’s advice on walking with people through pain so they can find hope again—a key aspect of prioritizing community support even during difficult times.
The editorial criticizes attitudes that encourage abandoning commitments if immediate desires aren’t met—whether in jobs or relationships—and stresses teaching resilience as essential for strong marriages, businesses, governments, states, and communities.
It suggests that states like Georgia should be seen as places where innovation happens locally rather than relying solely on federal programs. The article describes everyday examples in Georgia where families care for each other; neighbors organize food drives; volunteers coach youth sports; church members visit those who are ill; citizens work to improve schools and parks—all described as evidence of community strength.
Burns was elected to represent Georgia’s 159th House District in 2005 after Ray Holland stepped down (https://www.house.ga.gov/representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=93&Session=27).
The editorial concludes by urging Americans to strengthen families and communities by honoring virtue rather than dismissing it. It asserts that future progress depends not on loud demands but on strong commitment to helping others: “Let’s make ‘we’ matter again.”
