SURVIVING THE SUMMER

As I view events surrounding the 2016 election, I’m fearful and apprehensive of the actions of my fellow Americans. Less objective and more suspicious than in my youth, I observe with sadness behavior in American cities that resembles that of oppressed countries where individuals are forced to the streets to be heard. Trying times plague our country, but, somehow, we must rise above the violence.

 

The heritage of our Republic, defined by freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of movement, remains in question as we look forward to a summer of heated, discriminate, unrestrained behavior. The right to protest falls in the framework of our heritage; our forefathers were protestors, aggressive orators who affirmed their views with enthusiasm.  They hawked their vision at the top of their lungs, and accepted alternative views with opposition in the same mode as we see in today’s world.  Not always with the best of behavior, lest we forget the Boston Tea Party.  And the repression of the many by the powerful few who think they know best continues to involve the world in war.  What else is new?

However, citizens appear more invested in important issues this political season than in previous years.  Is it because we face more serious problems?  Of course, the advent of media, social networking, and ease of travel, provide unique platforms for all Americans to stay involved.  For instance, social networking can arouse a huge outpouring of support for any group attempting to sway minds.  The powerful, who wish to capture the minds of the masses, arrange for paid demonstrators; although some protest because of their personal views.  I agree the right to protest is Constitutional.

Many protestors simply look for a podium to force feed their views by means of the media. One group of nudists protested a Trump appearance suggesting we recognize their group as a viable oppressed faction. Moral decay remains high on the list of issues confronting our nation. The history of past democracies reveals, without exception, their fall from within from moral decay and an appetite for pleasure and welfare.  Are we sliding into the same pattern destined to implode? Do we silently follow without seeking facts or objecting to the condescending political rhetoric emanating from our media venues?

Frankly, I’m disgusted with the image that I’m insensitive, incompetent, and uneducated, thus I need a political elitist, a media pundit, or a powerful, wealthy nanny state caregiver to guide me through my life.  On the one hand, we hear the establishment politicians lecturing us about our ignorance in choosing leaders (mostly they have been there too long and are thinking about their own status in life), or the other hand, the nanny state representatives infer their great concern for the poor and oppressed who depend upon them to provide care. Somewhere in between these views, a compromise must exist with the option for reasonable decisions of intelligent voters who wish to be heard and understood. Up to now, I fail to see a solution.  A voting system geared to deceive and ignore citizen input contributes to failure.  Violence in the streets exacerbates the problem.

Where are the heroes? Where are the leaders who will simply keep order, provide security, and allow citizens to contribute within reason? Leaders who are vigilant, frugal, knowledgeable of issues taking action as though they hear the citizenry and make the nation’s welfare the priority.  Could we say, balanced budget, secure borders, common justice, reasonable agreements and treaties, limited government, reduced regulations, reasonable taxation, and adopt Teddy Roosevelt’s philosophy, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” In other words, keep us safe with a strong military.  We have paid; we will continue to pay; we simply ask for responsible, credible, transparent behavior by the less than 500 individuals who have been elected to office.

 Ironically, November 8^th, Election Day, is also my birthday.  I’m a forever optimist, and probably more so in the December of my life.  I hope to survive the summer and vote on my 83^rd birthday.  I’ve often compared my life to a roller coaster ride.  Wow, this election season promises to be quite a trip!