Has America Lost Its "Milk of Human Kindness?"

It seems inconceivable that a country with so much to offer in terms of wealth, expertise, experience, and compassion for the rest of the world, can no longer muster the same for its own people. While America seeks to solve the woes of third world countries, what is happening to the very citizens that make it possible for us to offer a helping hand? Putting politics and religion aside for a moment, let's explore what may very well be the greatest loss ever suffered by the American people: "The lack of basic human kindness."

Everyday, it seems we do our best to ignore the homeless we see on the street. We no longer notice those cardboard signs declaring "I need help to feed my children." We don't rifle through our pockets in search of loose change to put into those red kettles that feed and clothe the poor. We trash usable clothing and throw away pounds of food - - much of it unopened and still eatable - - rather than bothering to take it to the local food bank. I think most of us are aware of these obvious issues even though we may wish that we could dismiss them. Do not get me wrong. These are definitely critical issues. However, there is something that is even more basic: Respect for our fellow man.