Look Both Ways
Monday, January 3, 2011 at 08:05AM Happy New Year. I am back from galavanting around Holland, Germany, and Austria. Had a fantastic holiday season and I hope that you did too.
On the flight home I was reading an article about how the new republican reps are determined to fight and to undo anything that President Obama may have accomplished in his first twenty months in office. I must say I was amazed at their commitment to intractability and the stopping of anything that Obama wants to do.
Oh no, you are thinking, I read this blog to find out stuff that will impact me and my art. I don't want to read about politics or some musician's opinion.
Well trust me for a page, please.
Don't think that what happens politically in this country won't impact you, your life and your art. It definitely will. Just think about this:
Reading of this commitment to stopping what ever the President wants to accomplish, I was reminded of when I was first going to school and my parents actually let me walk the two miles (uphill both ways, …in the snow, …barefoot) to Green Tree Elementary and the instructions that they gave to me about crossing the big two lane road Route 202.
It was, at the time, one of the main thoroughfares into Paoli, Pennsylvania and as such, was heavily trafficked.
The told me that when I got to Rte 202, I was to stop and look both ways, to the left and to the right, and then after ascertaining that it was safe, to move ahead, make my commitment and cross the highway.
I did this every single morning for the six years that I walked to Green Tree Elementary School. I never got killed...even once. Stopped, looked both ways, to the right and to the left and then made the best decision I could based upon the info I had.
Why, I wonder, can’t our politicians do that? Why can’t they look both ways, to the left and to the right and then make the best decision they can based upon the info that they have? This isn't simplistic, it's simple logic based upon the question, what do I think is the best possible course here? And then take it.
Why would anyone think that following party line, goosestepping their way along, that this would be the best way to govern a people as diverse as ours? Lemmings run off a cliff and swim to their deaths out of a biological imperative. Congressman don't have that imperative, they only have the courage of their convictions, or the lack thereof. Instead of thinking for themselves and digesting all the info at hand, some do what they are told.
Is that why we elected representatives? To follow party line no matter what?
Why not? It worked for Stalin and for Hitler. If that is the kind of government we want, then we’re doing fine going down that path.
If however, we are going to continue this great experiment, this great question, can a people govern themselves, then we are going to have to communicate to our representatives that we are looking for smart, informed people who can make what they consider to be the right decision based upon the information they have, not by how the party told them to vote.
Until we can elect politicians that are more committed to the successful future of our country and EVERYONE in it, we will continue to squander our generations opportunity to create and maintain a better world for all of us, not just the priviledged.
Okay, my new years rant is over, tomorrow back to the music and the final tweaks of All Wood and Doors by James Lee Stanley and Cliff Eberhardt.
Reader Comments (1)
WOW....I couldn't agree more. I have often written about political stupidity on my art site as I think it is essential we keep abreast of what will be out future.
The Republicans are acting like spoiled children. Where are we Americans in their equation? So much for doing what is "good for the country". When they come out and say their main task is to make sure Obama is a one term President.....what a small, selfless, petty goal.
Ok, I too have gotten a lot off my chest.....thanks.