Letter: The importance of respect, discipline

What would it take for society's ills to be fixed? The simplest answer would be the phrase "Love Conquers All" and while this is true, some folks do not accept that, due to all the hatred that is going around.

But hatred never solves anything. It only makes everything worse.

Two of the most important words for any successful society are "respect" and "discipline." People who have grown up without having been taught the importance of these two words will most likely fail in life, while those who practice these two words will have a much better chance for success.

Society in general would greatly benefit by the latter. Discipline means doing the right things, even when you do not feel like doing them.

Respect could mean you do not have to like everyone, but you could acknowledge that maybe they contribute something to society, maybe they do jobs that you either would not like or would not be capable of doing.

Someone once said that if you could trade your problems for someone else's problems, you might want to reverse that trade. You have no idea what other people have had to go through. Your opinions will often be different than the opinions of others, so just respect that they are entitled to their opinions just as much as you are entitled to yours.

All we can hope for is that we each can exercise certain amounts of common sense and objectivity, especially for our leaders. If we knew all of the things that go on behind the scenes and we don't, we might form different opinions on issues. So, in some instances we can give our leaders the benefit of the doubt and a bit of respect, even for those with whom we disagree.

Joe DeLorenzo

Elk Grove Village