I’ve tried. Really. Typically I do not engage in any type of political conversation not because I can’t, but because my preference is to delay a heart attack until my inactive years (lest there be any).
I made an oath with myself long ago to learn from my mistakes. Yeah…that’s obviously an ongoing, concerted effort. However, at the top of my “FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS IDIOT, DO NOT DO THAT AGAIN” list was watching my mouth. Proverbs 10:19 is hanging in my office: When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Always easier said than done for me. Certain topics strike a nerve, and when my nerves are stricken, watch out. Well, watch out if you knew me when I was younger. Today, just hold your breath. It’s not that I mean to go off, nor is it that I even have much of a temper. It’s just that when certain injustices occur, my passion flares up. For passionate I am. Unapologetically.
Speaking of that, last evening I was at the Y on the dreadmill, avoiding the inevitable heatstroke outside would have caused. I’m zipping along at 7.2 minding my own business, when the news catches my eye. I see his face. I read the words scrolling along at the bottom. 7.3. Ignore him. Bad song on the iPod. Look up. 7.5. Form, sweat, run, count…form, sweat, run, count. Keep chanting, keep chanting. Ok, Obama. You win.
So I become engaged in what he is saying. People next to me start nudging me. I’m already enraged – why are they making me more crazy mad by touching me?
“Oh, I’m sorry – I didn’t realize I said that out loud.”
It was like when I’m on the court and I have no idea what trash talk comes out of my mouth. Apparently a barrage of F-bombs were flying at that TV screen unbeknownst to me while I was now running at 8.0 – wishing that lying sack of worthless garbage was back in Chicago, working at the American Girl Store as a waiter serving lunch to those overpriced dolls.
I hate him am vigorously opposed to anything his diabolical statements, policies, and beliefs reflect.
The idiot is on the offensive. Why? Oh, I don’t know…maybe because he initiated a series of big bullshit policies that he promised would turn the economy around and clearly – clearly they have not.
Instead of defending his numb nuts economic policies, he attacks modern capitalism as it now exists. I could stop there and just go, honestly? Honestly, what are you doing attacking our country – the one that epitomizes (or, at least used to) capitalism? You ingrate, you moron. You are blaming the system for the economy?
You what, don’t like the way unsuccessful firms go bust? Well guess what? I don’t like the way unsuccessful people go bust. They way they quit, lay down, say ah, screw it…those smart, rich people will feed me.
You don’t like CEO salaries. Well guess what? You ain’t worth $400k a year either (I use “ain’t” so as not to be confused with one of the “smart” ones). You don’t like financial shenanigans, you don’t like outsourcing and offshoring. Why yes, President Obama, you don’t like modern capitalism one iota. It’s clear.
So what do you do? Do you defend your Fisher Price economic policies? Nope…just blame the system. It’s totally easy to blame someone else for your woes. And, do it with double ferocity if your opponent (mind you, I hate am not a Romney fan either) happens to be the embodiment of that system.
You don’t like that Bain Capital invested in companies that hired workers abroad? It’s “unpatriotic” to hire Mexican or Indian workers? Ok, I’ll stop here and not point out the obvious about your ahem… questionable roots. You think that no worthy person, right-wing right or not, would do what most global business leaders have been doing for at least the past half-century? You’re challenging the entire logic of capitalism as it has existed over several decades. And I’m just getting warmed up.
This focus shift has been a disgrace. Despicable. You’ve not been a critic of globalization over the years of your presidency. I can’t remember you having any kind of real problem with outsourcing or offshoring. You kiss-assedly praised people like Steve Jobs and hired people like that CEO dude of GE, whose very company embodies the upsides of globalization.
I guess I give your people props. Admittedly (and why my blood is boiling) this attack has shifted the focus of the race from being about big government which you clearly represent – to being about capitalism, which is what I, others with a brain, and Mitt Romney represent.
You’re promising voters that they can have all the benefits of capitalism without any of the downsides such as plant closures, rich (and smart) CEO’s, and outsourcing. Just like the GOP used to tell the Dems they had to have high taxes in order to get their unending list of programs, the Dems are now telling the Republicans that they need to accept the pains of creative destruction if they want their prosperity.
Here’s what I want, Mr. President. I want to not be punished for being a go-getter. I want to not be called “smart” or “rich” by people laying on their couches, stuffing their fat faces with Pringles that I bought them. I want to NEVER be running on a treadmill again and read that “the reason people thrive at work and are rich is solely because of government.” Are you (stop touching me treadmill neighbor!) kidding me?
If anything – you’ve taught me how NOT to behave. How NOT to live. What NOT to emulate.
Spend less than you earn. Tell the truth. Work hard. Put others before yourself. Proceed with the greater good in mind. It’s not hard.
If I had my druthers, I’d live in a country which is run under a theocracy. Literally it boils down to greed, pride, and fallible human beings. When the leaders are corrupt, the people follow (read The Book of Judges). By George, we’re in trouble.
However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and UNPRINCIPLED men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
–George Washington
