The United States today--and maybe the world--is overwhelmingly infatuated with symptoms and not the causes of them.

Yesterday, my doctor told me that the best selling cold & flu remedies, are no remedies at all. They temporarily mask or remove the resulting discomfort caused by all sorts of malladies in the body. And these products are the top sellers because we on the whole are simpletons. We are simpletons in that we only care about effects--not causes, we listen to advertising more than sermons, and that which is easier to see or easier to reach is the product we choose.

Often, the products that attack the mallady or actually deal long-term with the symptoms are produced by companies who value being referred to be doctors than fighting the war of public opinion. The money they spend is on research and product enhancement, rather than advertising, shelf placement, price points and branding.

This reality seen in the over-the-counter medicine industry is similar to what we see in many ethical situations as well. We have a terrible problem with children being born of parents who have no business being parents at that particular time and the cry you hear from so many is to give condoms out at schools. Let's instead get to the real reason this situation exists and that is that the moral fiber of the country is so thin right now. Teach our kids there are greater ideologies to live for. Teach them to love Jesus, and to follow His ways, and this problem will shrink. No need for condoms.

And by the way, if you're ever stuffed in the sinuses, take Mucinex--it's amazing.