A friend sent me this…when he gets frustrated, he, like me, writes. We don’t think it makes a difference, we just know it makes us feel better. Enjoy:
How does one begin to sum up the most nonproductive and destructive presidential campaign of a lifetime?
I guess I’ll start with my background. I’m 61 years old, I have fortunately had modest success Career wise and have some level of Financial security. I have been married to the same woman for 36 years, no children.
I have voted in every presidential election since Carter and Ford but mostly I have voted against, rather than for a candidate. I am a registered independent and I have tried to vote for the individual not the party. Sadly that has often been difficult as a result of the poor choices I have been given.
This current campaign however I think illustrates how poisonous the entire process has become for the country as a whole. On one hand we have the Democratic candidate whom I believe illustrates perfectly what is wrong with the current system.
The Democratic candidate represents a small very powerful financially potent group within this country that has essentially been controlling most elections regardless of affiliation, for the last 30 years. The Democratic candidate’s record is replete with examples of how they have manipulated and been manipulated by this group and system.
The Republican candidate represents the frustration and disenfranchisement of many people in this country along with the concept that celebrity is currency.
Unfortunately, through the candidates manipulation or perhaps just the natural inclination of a large segment of voters, that campaign has deteriorated into a one of fear, that in the case of some individuals is probably warranted.
Let’s be fair to these voters and acknowledge that their frustrations are well-founded. There’s a large segment of the population, regardless of party affiliation, that has virtually been left behind by the government and party leadership. Both parties have continually passed legislation over the last 30 years that supported the agenda of corporations at the expense of individuals’ jobs, Heath insurance, education and financial security. Regardless of which party was controlling the house, Senate or the presidency.
Boycott is a word you don’t hear much anymore in this country…Here’s why, it is the one way that individual citizens can keep corporations or their billionaire owners in check. I daresay that George Soros or the Koch brothers, if their businesses would suffer directly as a result of their influence on the political process, would not be quite so inclined to continue down this path. the current laws, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, does not hold them accountable because they are treated like individuals and allowed to donate anonymously. All this Hidden conspicuously behind various PAC’s, political action committees. In fairness to George Soros and the Koch brothers they are rather open about their political agendas…. They must be in the two big to fail category, it’s the names we don’t know but should be more disconcerting.
This term PAC arose in the 80s and was made legal under Reagan Bush and expanded upon under Clinton Gore. Again illustrating the point. These are three different presidential terms from both parties that fully and enthusiastically supported and promoted these ideas. The Supreme Court, a court that was filled by Presidents Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush II appointees, also supported this idea in their decision last year. So this problem is systemic, it is bipartisan and it is, in my opinion, destroying the basic fabric of this country.
Now as to the role that bigotry and Xenophobia, has played in this current election and has been utilized by both parties. History is replete with examples of how laws do not eliminate bigotry, all they can do is hope to minimize the impact. The Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War did not end discrimination or bigotry in this country. That is historically indisputable.
What is also historically undisputed is that one of the great things about living in the United States is that as individuals we are all entitled to our opinion. That opinion maybe driven by ideology, religion, political orientation and yes even bigotry or fear.
The mere fact, however that a large number of citizens possess certain opinion does not mean that those opinions should be represented in law. Laws should be based on what is in the best interest of the overwhelming majority of our citizens and in the best interest of our national and economic security.
So can we all just for a moment accept the fact that other people are entitled to opinions of which we may strongly disagree. However, statistically and pragmatically, we as a country competing in a world economy can no longer can afford the luxury of these opinions driving legislation.
Any competent business manager will tell you we can no longer afford the luxury of not having every single qualified person in the right job. Regardless of that person’s race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or origin of birth. How can we possibly afford to not give opportunity every single contributing citizen regardless of these factors and still compete globally?
So let’s all just take a breath and while we’re at it, some responsibility.
We have all participated in this debacle in one form or another. These two extremely poor choices are a direct result of us, “we the people”. We the people, supporting media that does not offer full and transparent facts regarding the actions of either the government, these officials or these corporations. While generating huge revenues off of not only non-useful information but in many cases destructive and divisive rhetoric.
In the movie Network Paddy Chayefsky famously wrote: “we’re mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore” Clearly the media, Big business and the politicians were taking notes on that script. Because they have delivered unto us exactly what he prophetically envisioned in the form of government, corporations and media co mingling Their interests at the expense of the citizenry.
How sad it is that Mr. Chayefsky’s brilliant mind did not answer the question…..how do we not take it anymore?
