Our Values--How They Develop

We are our values--but what are they? Are they based on our self-centered assumptions, on what we think that God wants, or on what we think is best for society? Are our values related to our genes? How much? How much does our intrauterine environment affect our values and behavior? How important is our childhood in forming our values? Can we evaluate and change our values?

In recent elections have the people voted for values that will make their lives better? Have they voted for the people who will make society better? Will the Supreme Court make the best decisions on health care and abortion? With every American owing over $80,000 dollars on the $25 trillion-dollar national debt, is there a way out? Will Americans keep voting for reduced taxes-- with the bill for the taxes continually being added to the national debt? With the $260 billion in interest that Americans pay annually to our creditors, like China and Japan, could that money have been better spent on infrastructure? But we don't like to pay taxes! Why do Americans pay 40% more for health care than any other country? Why does America have the 37th best health care system?-- the worst of any developed country?

Our values invade every facet of our lives. Should we try understand them--and US?