Are we losing our compassion for those in need?
Signs show people are caring more for themselves and less for others. I'm not saying we should be our brother's keeper all the time, but compassion is dropping resulting in a less compassioned society
By Ray Hanania
(Updated with video clips from interview with Marc Sims, Sunday June 14, 2026). In the aftermath of the recent “tornadic” weather that struck Chicagoland, Northern Illinois and Northern Indiana this week, I saw a reaction from people, politicians and motorists that seemed less compassioned and made me wonder whether our society has lost its humanity.
As I drove between client meetings on Friday June 11, 2026 in the storm aftermath from the night before, I encountered many weather caused obstructions in many communities.
I was alarmed by what I observed that seemed to be a growing atmosphere of uncaring on the part of everyone from politicians to motorists to people on social media.
The most obvious was by motorists who were navigating the obstacles created by the weather disruption, blinking major intersection lights, and the way many impatient drivers so easily disregarded others to get ahead, recklessly, cutting in front, honking, and even screaming at each other from their cars. In one case, a driver lifted his hand out the window and flashed another “the finger.”
Traffic lights were broken and there were flashing red lights, meaning intersections were turned into stop lights leaving the management of traffic up to the drivers themselves.
I noticed so many drivers speeding around on the shoulder, impatient to cross, to get in front of the line of bumper-to-bumper cars.
So many drivers seemed to be inconsiderate, cutting people off. Not using their turn signals. Distracted and on their cell phones.
There were many vehicle accidents in the center of the intersections, suggesting people were either not paying attention or were so angry and impatient they just couldn’t engage the disrupted intersections safely.
Yes, a tornado or tornado-like conditions are a burden on the pace and patience of everyday life that we get used to and that we expect. But it’s not an excuse to break the law or disrespect others.
There are always inconsiderate, selfish and dangerous motorists out there, but there just seemed to be so many more at a time when we should be seeing more compassion. People helping people.
While I am talking about motorists and vehicle accidents, I’m not talking about the mechanics of the cars. I’m talking about the psychology of the motorists and how easily they set aside courtesy, compassion and patience in today’s world.
I blame it on rthe nation’s cancerous politics. President Donald Trump has set a tone of confrontation, disrespect and a level of insults that is disrespectful and more appropriate in the gutters not in the White House. Trump’s name calling, narcissistic boasting and self-promotion, erratic actions with respect to war and peace, and how everyone, from Trump to his Republican lemmings and the weakly-led Democrats are contributing to this weakening of American morals.
But it goes beyond that with Trump. For his birthday, he spotlighted a UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) which is considered a very brutal physical competition sport. That symbolizes the direction Trump is taking this country’s mindset.
The hate on Social media has been growing exponentially and is way beyond the boiling point. The lack of compassion for human suffering in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Ukraine and many other places that dart in and out of the news on Trump’s whim.
America needs a mental check, a morality reset, and a reminder of the boundaries of where decency starts and anger should end.
Normally, we would have a national leader set the tone before it even gets this far. NBut we have no one. Not a Republican. Not a Democrat. Not anyone. The media is fractured and overwhelmed by the burden of their industry shrinkage.
Someone needs to remind us to pause, take a deep breath and think before exploding in expressive emotion, even to ourselves let alone to outside society.
I thought it important to start with myself by compiling a list of points in what can be called a “conduct of courtesy.”
How do you treat other people in different circumstances in life? It’s not just about presenting yourself as nice. It’s a lifestyle, a way that you conduct yourself.
Here is what I came up with, in no particular order of importance or relevance, Rules of the Road of Life:
I try hard to live by several simple rules. Be respectful and don’t take things for granted.
I try to be a good neighbor. In other words, I think about what impact my actions might have on my neighbors.
I avoid being too loud and making a lot of noise late at night.
I park my car on my property.
I have a lake house and when on the pontoon boat, I respect the “no wake zones” which are areas where a boat has to move very slowly. Some don’t care and zip through creating huge wakes that wave up on properties.
I respect other people’s property. I pick up the litter around my house.
I don’t throw litter on the street when I drive. It’s punishable by a fine but I see people tossing garbage out their window these days all the time. I toss the garbage on the floor of my car, if I don’t have a litter bag, and then collect it to throw out when I get home.
When I walk my dog, I pick up the poop. Not everyone does, it seems.
I manage my dog and keep it on a leash, especially when there are people around.
I say hello to people when I pass them. I smile whether I know someone or not.
I mind my own business but I try to help neighbors when I can, especially those that are older than me. During the Winter, I will use the snowblower to clear the driveway of an elderly neighbor who lives across the street, when it looks like no one has shoveled her driveway. I’m elderly.
I don’t take shortcuts. I try to be patient, not to push people out of the way, cut people off, violate procedures just to get ahead of others or give myself a time shortcut.
When someone does me wrong, I’m not afraid to tell them, in order to defines clear boundaries and also clears the air. The worst thing is when truth is compromised and neighbors avoid the issues. Problem issues fester. Deal with it in a fair way.
And respect our life. Women are not less but they live in a society that treats them as less, so it isn’t wrong to go out of your way to show women respect. When I get to a store entrance, if a woman is walking up to the door, too, I pause, open the door for her and let her go in first.
I don’t ask for favors.
When I have a bad day, I think it out. I don’t believe in pain killers to disguise the pain. What’s causing the pain. I don’t take Tylenol when I have a headache. Instead, I slow down and relax, and try to figure out what caused the headache. I think a headache usually means you’re just doing too much and you overwhelm yourself. Calm down. Relax.
Don’t fuel the anger.
When I drive, I am a defensive driver. I know there are two kinds of drivers. Those that feel they can push their way into getting what they want, cutting you off, crossing two lanes to make a right turn.
People who signal, I let get in front of me. Those that try to push their cars in front, I don’t.
When someone says something that offends you, give them the benefit of the doubt. In today’s world dominated by social media, it is too easy to be angry and offend others. If someone says something that offends youpush back in a productive, positive way. Respond in a smart way, not blind anger.
In discussions on Social Media, focus on the issues, not the person or the personality. Don’t call someone a name who you disagree with.
Politicians and elected officials are a different story. You can criticize them, but focus on the issues, not on the personality. (Officials and activists who engage in debates who focus on the personality and call you names do so because they can’t defend their position on the issues or because they really don’t understand the facts.)
Overall, however, it never hurts to say, “I am sorry,” even when it’s not your fault.
There is no rule book for good humanity. It’s just based on commonsense and courtesy. If we had more of both, we would probably be an even more powerful nation.
Click this link to view PART 1 and PART 2 of the interview with Podcaster Marc Sims, or use the widgets below (in two parts).