Hawley: How Our Collapse Of
Community Relationships
Threatens Liberty
The Federalist,
by
Staff
Original Article
Posted By: M2,
11/21/2019 6:40:34 AM
Following are the prepared remarks of Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., to the American Principles Project Foundation on November 19, 2019. Or watch the speech at the link below.
The loss of community spans age & income & region & race. It is helping drive the epidemic of deaths of despair, as more people feel isolated & alone. Rebuilding genuine community is one of the urgent needs of our day. Full remarks here https://t.co/WUtmhoO8QJ
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) November 20, 2019
I am humbled tonight to accept an award named for a man who spent his life speaking for those without a voice, fighting for the weak, challenging the
Reply 1 - Posted by:
MDConservative 11/21/2019 9:38:51 AM (No. 241179)
The Senator decries the loss of community, a phenomenon underway particularly since the Boomer Generation came of age, followed by all the rest. Free people make choices. All have consequences. And so it goes.
How many here are the first generation to earn a college degree, to leave home and pursue careers miles away from the parents' homestead, to live in communities of others of those from elsewhere working hard to attain their goals in a highly competitive world? How many couldn't wait to get out of a hum-drum life offered by the farm or small town, encouraged to leave by their parents, teachers and community for a "better life"? How many farmers failed to comprehend changes in agriculture that now flood markets with cheap commodities like dairy and grains? How many workers failed to understand the basic economics of their job market value when essentially unskilled? How many turned their backs on rigorous education or demanding vocational training? How many educators failed to comprehend the emptiness of conferring diplomas and certificates without merit? How many failed to explore their horizons or imagine, saying "This is my home. I can’t imagine my life without it." How many now pursue "passions" rather than earn a living? Offer reasons they are "unlucky" in life, demanding accommodation?
And how many see the "elites" in places like Washington and in the media ripping the fabric of community for political and personal profit without apparent consequences?
1 person likes this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Strike3 11/21/2019 11:07:20 AM (No. 241254)
Au contrare, Senator. I am quite happy living out here in the woods where I can't see my nearest neighbor and the animals are all peaceful and friendly. Where exactly is one of your communities where this is the case? Oz maybe?
1 person likes this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
jacksin5 11/21/2019 11:07:59 AM (No. 241255)
How many of us have moved into Gated Communities for our own safety?
0 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
Strike3 11/21/2019 11:10:32 AM (No. 241257)
Sorry, misspelled the french "au contraire" but I'm just an uneducated rube who lives out in the sticks.
0 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
columba 11/21/2019 11:55:01 AM (No. 241313)
Our lack of Community (otherwise called Love of Neighbor) has produced the homeless surge. It is not possible that all of the homeless men and women have no one who cares for them or is blood-related to them.
0 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
DVC 11/21/2019 1:33:14 PM (No. 241392)
Being a military brat, I never lived near any relatives, had only 4 or 5 childhood friendships that lasted long beyond the 2-3 years we lived in any one place, while growing up. I have lived in the KC area for 40 years now, and have a number of friends who I have known that long, but still - no relatives within 1,000 miles, a dozen or two real friends here, and many acquaintances, co-workers, club members, etc. I really only keep in touch with 3 or 4 people from my HS class, saw many at recent 50th reunion, but many I couldn't really remember well. My two closest friends in HS were both dead within 3 years of graduation, sadly.
So, I don't really know what it is like to have the same kids in your school from 1st grade on, and be surrounded by relatives your whole life. Relatives have always been people that we travel to see for short visits a few times a year. I can't much relate to this whole 'community' thing the way people who grew up in one place apparently do. Been and lived many, many places, done many things, but living it one spot was not part of it.
4 people like this.
Reply 7 - Posted by:
caljeepgirl 11/21/2019 2:16:10 PM (No. 241419)
Wow, Hawley's speech really underlines a realization I've come to fairly recently, now that I am retired and 'getting on in years'....I definitely think he's nailed it! Although not particularly religious myself, I've come to recognize that historically our churches were once the social hubs of nearly every community. I believe their widespread demise has created a tremendous vacuum in our society. And why else are so many now grasping at every latest 'movement' with such religious fervor?!
1 person likes this.
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