Dangerous Precedent Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Children are failing at an alarming rate,
In public schools.
They can neither read nor write.
Quote or recite,
Anything...
From approved and acceptable literature.
However,
They do excel and achieve high marks...
At rapping and the playing of video games.

This reality is not 'becoming' a threat.
This reality IS and has been a threat,
To anyone who can see...
What the future ahead is going to be.
And the defending of this IS and has been...
A sick reflection of one's addiction to delusion.

For anyone to perceive themselves,
To be intelligent enough to say
Such freedoms to prevent,
The continued demoralizing decay
Should have such freedoms taken away
Is setting a dangerous precedent.
Has just learned what that term means.
And has decided using it to defend their ignorance,
Will gain them personal attention.

The 'dangerous precedent',
Has been in allowing the absence of respect and discipline
To infiltrate the minds of children who are raising children,
Believing the act of marketing sex and decadence
Is going to overnight produce a society of upstanding citizens.
While illiteracy becomes a prerequisite,
To obtaining a Master's Degree in Physics.

The 'dangerous precedent' had already taken effect,
When the building of prisons began to become considered...
As rehabilitation centers at the taxpayers exorbitant expense.

The 'dangerous precedent' began
When the flowing of crime hit the streets.
And anyone expressing an embittered reaction against this...
Was rumored to be 'negative' and disgruntled,
About the truth of a pretentiousness no one sought to face.
But today
People are blaming those in leadership positions,
For not being strong enough to protect their interests.
Or fight courageously to uphold their rights to entitlements.

Yeah!
It's in the 'water'.
It 'has' to be!