Marriage is a minority in US households.

For the very first time in history, according to the latest US Census statistics, "non-family households" account for 50.2% of US households. That means that less than 50% of US households have an in residence husband and wife. The larger percentage is single parent or unmarried couples.

There is an ongoing debate on a state by state and national level regarding same sex marriages. Gay rights, don't ask don't tell, out of the closet.

In Iowa, a brother shot and killed his 3 sisters plus parents. In Ft. Pierce Florida, a family of 4 was found shot to death and left on the side of the road. In Atlanta, a young mother of 3 was gunned down in her own home during a break-in. Just last week an "English" man entered a one room Amish school and executed 6 little girls and wounded 4 others. These are not exceptions. They are every day occurances. They are "normal".

Perhaps it is that I am in the winter of years. Perhaps having had my two marriages ended by the death of my spouse due to cancer has made me further sensitized me to the awful result of a loss. Perhaps my "old fashioned" values are no longer of value to the majority. But I can tell you two things that are absolutely true. First that simpler times of years past were better for everyone. Those years had their problems, but the level of respect and dignity for friends, family, associates and even strangers was measureably higher than it is today. Second, if the opening of this note doesn't scare the Hell out of you, I suggest you find a place to sit quietly and search your soul for answers. Our country out of control.

This country is in trouble. Not because of Iraq or Osama. It's not because of the cost of fuel or the cost of living or the cost of anything. It is not because of politics or amnisty or immigration. America is in trouble because she continues to drift away from her self respecting way of living. As the moras of the people changes, so too does the country change from a stable rule of law and understanding body, to a permissive society in which practically anything goes and the motto is "push the envelope". I believe that the character of the people that form the nucleus of our nation continues to teach itself to rationalize the unacceptable into common reality. I hope it is not too late to change back to our previously held view of family values, marriage vows and respect for each other. An election will not cause this change, it will require a change in perception of right versus wrong, not left versus right.