Political Misfits

Matt Gaetz, Lindsay Graham, Mitch McConnell, Cruz, Rubio, McCarthy, Trump, and deSantis.

What do they have in common? Republicans, uncontrolled tongues, mixed messages, conflicting loyalties, and so much more. Bizarre actions and reaction, too. 

They talk values yet are observed breaking them. They speak of protecting and serving the American people yet keep progress from happening that would benefit the people. They support suppressing voter rights. And, not surprising, they are all male, all white, and against immigration.

How can a party that allowed the free-wheeling sexual adventures of Trump be against Gaetz’s dalliance with underage girls? How can all of them be supporters of the sanctity of marriage yet live in unannounced open marriages? How can they all be advocates of core family values yet tear kids and parents apart at the border, families that are being tortured and murdered in the streets of their native lands?

How can they espouse patriotism in one breath and immediately repudiate it in action the next breath?

Some of these are immigrants. Some of them married immigrants. Some of them helped immigrant family members join them in the US. But now that they are here they block entry to others? Even call them nasty names?

Lost in all of this flimflam is a focus on what is good and right for the American People. Who are we? What are we? What do we believe in and aspire to? What is our society – individuals like you and I, and our institutions, government entities and values – doing to support the society in which we believe? That is the discussion that needs our attention.

Instead, we have politicians involved in egos, power, money and influence ripping off taxpayers for their own good and not the people.

Lincoln said it best: Government of the people, by the people and for the people. He did not say government of, by and for the politicians.

Grab onto that reality and make it mean something. Dump the pols who clearly do not speak for us and our way of life. It is that simple.

America is a land of, by and for its people. It endows all of us the freedoms to pursue our dream. We have to work hard. We have to earn what it is we want. No one owes anyone anything except respect, nurture and freedom to breath and aspire.

Taxes and government services are not to detract from those aspirations. However, we all need to pay for what we need in common that the free market cannot supply well. Move beyond that argument and restore America to its promises.

We get the type of government we allow though inattention and ignorance. Don’t let that happen. This is our watch. We must take responsibility for it. Each of us. Me. You.

April 5, 2021