How to fix our country in three simple steps:

The US would be a noticeably improved country if we simply taught the 3 Rs (Respect, Responsibility and Residuals) with as much zeal as we teach fear, blaming others and credit card spending.

Respect
How hard a concept is this? Respect other people's right to exist! Give others the same freedom that you feel you are entitled to. Let people make whatever life choices they want, so long as they don't try to take away your right to choice. Be reasonable and tolerate (maybe even accept) those that choose differently than you. Remember, each of us seems weird to someone else. That's what our country is all about - difference of opinion. And if you have a strong difference of opinion with your neighbor? Don't ingore the option of compromise simply out of pride. A perfect society is not one that strives for a single goal or mindset, but one that embraces as many as possible so as to diversify its ability to understand.

Responsibilty
We've totally lost sight of this, but once apon a time there was a place called America where people were actually held accountable for their actions. If you smoked and got cancer it was sad - but it was YOUR fault for being stupid enough to smoke. If you died because you didn't put a seatbelt on - it was YOUR fault for not thinking about the consequences of your actions. We are so sue-happy now that our entire economy is inflated to offset legal fees and insurance. The medical insurance crisis? Due almost entirely to litigation costs. How do we fix it? 1) Start taking responsibility for your actions. Stop looking to blame others when you make a mistake. 2) Start teaching your kids to solve their problems instead of automatically seeking intervention from an authority figure.

Residuals
This is not simply a monetary term. I use it to reference the long term result of any action. In laymen's terms: THINK! What you do today, whether eating fast food, playing basketball, teasing a coworker, or reading a book, will probably have a long-term effect. It may not be obvious at first, but if you think about it you can probably figure out what those consequences are - good and bad. It is not necessary to correctly predict the future, simply acknowledging that there IS a link between present-day actions and future effects will do a huge amount of good in your life. Think beyond today, beyond your immediate wants or needs, and your life will be better. Teach this to your children and they will make better decisions and live better lives as well.

So remember the 3 Rs when you get up tomorrow. Respect others' right to be themselves, take responsibility for your actions and encourage others to do so, and remember that choices create residuals. If the 3 Rs help your life, pass them on. If they get passed around enough, maybe we'll be able to find America again.