What is mainly wrong with American society, these days, is that too many of the roads have been paved.  There is not a problem in America today, sex, drugs, education, divorce, and delinquency that could not be remedied if we just had more dirt roads.  Because, dirt roads built character. 

 People who live at the end of a dirt road learn early that life is a bumpy ride; That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it if waiting at the end, are a home, a loving spouse, happy kids, and a frisky dog. 

 We would not have near the trouble with our education system if our kids got their exercise walking a dirt road with other kids, from whom they could learn to get a long. 

 There was less crime in our streets before they were paved.  Criminals did not walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, when they knew that they would be welcomed by five barking dogs and a double-barreled shotgun; And, there were no drive by shootings. 

Our values were better, when our roads were worse.  People didn't worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous.  You didn't tailgate, for the guy in front of you would choke you with dust, and bust your windshield with rocks.  Dirt roads taught patients.

 Dirt roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car and deplete the ozone for a quart of milk, and you walked, to the barn for even milk.  For your mail, you walked to the mailbox. 

 What if it rained and the dirt road got washed out?  That was the best part.  Then you stayed home and had some family time.  You roasted marshmallows, popped popcorn, and pony rode on daddy's shoulders; And you learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody. 

 At the end of a dirt road, kids learned about sex and it's results from watching every living thing.  So, when you were thirteen, and found a girl on the seed catalog, she was suddenly worth a second look, you understood why.  At the end of a dirt road, you learned that bad words soon tasted like soap. 

 Well, most paved roads lead to trouble.  Dirt roads more likely lead to a swimming creek, or fishing hole.  At the end of a dirt road, the only time we ever locked our cars was in August, and that was because if we didn't, some neighbor would fill it with too much Zucchini. 

 At the end of a dirt road there was always extra springtime income.  When city dudes would get stuck and you'd have to hitch up a team to pull 'em out, usually you got a dollar: Always you got a new friend. 

Sat, 01 FEB 92; Paul Harvey, quoting

Lee Pits, Editor

Livestock Market Digest.