I sit at the computer keyboard. I think about the condition
of our nation, our city, county, neighborhood. I look out the window at dreary
spring weather with thick clouds and nearly constant rain. I think of TV but am
turned away by the news; always negative; often fearful. Motives questioned.
Intent of Congress or the state legislature. Politicians elected to do the
people’s business but little gets done; most is argued incessantly. When will
resolution emerge? Ever?
The last eight years in Washington DC Washington
were continuously crafted and aired in the newspaper and news magazines as well
as on cable networks. Obama was the devil incarnate; no, Mitch McConnell was,
or Paul Ryan, or someone else.
Truth be told the conjurers of the messages were the devils
at work. There were many of them. And they had our attention 24/7/365. We
gasped with pleasure with severe weather – blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes,
floods – anything to take our attention off the endless do nothingness of our
elected officials. Somehow watching snow drifting over 12 feet was comforting;
at least at that locale survival relied on moving snow, staying warm, and
having warm meals available when needed. The tasks were simple and direct.
Not so the workings of government. This is especially true
when so many are in disagreement of our direction, purpose, or agenda.
It is why I claim we need to focus on desired outcomes –
identifying what we would like to see in our society and the output of our
government apparatus. Do we want quality education for all citizens? At what
phases of their life ought we provide such education? Only for young kids,
pre-school through high school? What about college, trades, professional career
education? Do we provide that or sell it to those interested and able to pay?
Do we do anything for cultural development – music, dance, art, design, etc.?
Do we help adults navigate through career changes unforeseen and devastating to
the affected families?
Who provides this education? Who defines excellence in these
programs? Is this a federal matter, a state, county or municipality concern?
Who maintains the standards and accessibility of all this?
Government is a thing, an institution and a process. It is
representative in America
or we are taught that this is so. The representativeness doesn’t seem to be
working very well. We are at loggerheads over direction, values, funding and
motivation. Rather than do the wrong thing we wind up doing nothing. No budget
passed. Programs eliminated through budget failures. Quality of programming
underfunded and we watch the death spiral of many valuable programs. Health
care for the indigent, the aged, the disabled, the disenfranchised. Education
for everyone in bits and pieces and soon amassing to noticeable changes.
Funding for the arts that have mostly been removed from the schools already.
When will public safety go the way of the budget? If gun rights are twisted far
enough isn’t our public safety directly threatened by the ‘freedoms’ of gun
ownership.
How far do we let pendulums swing before we realize what we
value is lost? Maybe forever?
We have a president in the White House who is point by
point eliminating much of what the previous president put in place. The current
president is encouraged to do this by political enemies of the previous president.
Our society has so veered off course that the civilian management of the
defense industry and military establishment is reverting to military hands; a
direct disavowal of the US Constitution. How far will we let this go before
public safety and civilian control is totally out of control? Is this what you
want? Is it what I want? Is it what WE want?
A federal government that has a responsibility for managing
the banking and monetary system is being deregulated into a paper shadow. So
too commerce regulations that protect consumers against fraud, stock market
manipulations, monopolistic powers forming and all the rest. Is this what WE
want in our government? Are we really wanting government to be so weak and
ineffectual? Do we disrespect all government so much that we are willing to
throw the baby out with the bath water?
And in its place is who and what with the power to now do to
or for us what we once empowered our governments to do?
Some serious discussion is needed in all of these matters.
The train wreck has begun and its size is only a matter of calculation. Not of
cause. That we know. But do we want this train wreck?
If not, what is it we do want? Is anyone prepared to answer
that simple question?
I’ve been asking these questions for a long time. I’ve even
offered a few answers from time to time. But I’m not hearing any feedback. No
echoes, either. The silence is deafening. And worrisome.
Do you feel the dread as well?
April 7, 2017
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