Back in 2008 America elected a fellow I thought both unqualified and damaging. I was terribly disappointed; not in McCain for losing but for America for making what I considered an epically bad decision. Shortly thereafter I read A momentous event that puts the Presidential race in perspective by Dave Duffy. I filed that article in my head for future reference. Then I redoubled my efforts to live as well as I could possibly live; if not accepting the slow motion innately predictable disaster going down in D.C. at least adapting to it.
Now, four years later, the same scoundrel has won another election. I’m, once again, disappointed. I honestly thought America had bottomed out and was looking to respond with a different path. I was wrong. On the other hand, I never expected his challenger to do much. One man, no matter how earnest, cannot put an entire Nation back on track if the Nation doesn’t wish it. So the failed attempt of 2012 doesn’t sting so much. I’ve come to suspect that debts and “fiscal cliffs” and whatnot were (and continue to be) amassed by a people who simply must play things out to their forgone conclusion. I’d rather not see us all take the ride but that is the apparent way of things.
Back to the wise words of Dave Duffy.
I see the Presidential election as a temporary spectacle like the Superbowl. Everybody is talking about it, but in the end it’s relatively meaningless, at least when compared to youngsters like Jake gearing up to solve the world’s problems.
It is a sad commentary on our times, I think, that so many people disagree with me on this matter. They think electing either Obama or McCain is one of the most critical decisions of their lifetime. They think it will dictate the future of America. It is a “group” mentality that has been fostered over many years by the colossus that makes up America’s large political and bureaucratic establishment.
Well, I’ve got news for you. If you think getting a certain politician elected is going to favorably affect your life, you’re in for a disappointment. Only you paying attention to the details of your own life will favorably affect your future. It doesn’t matter worth a damn who becomes President.
Dave is right. As a group, our Nation isn’t going to deal with reality until reality is finished dealing with us. Individually the story is much brighter. We each have the option to choose to live every day in the best way we can. I’ve tried to remember Dave’s little hint whenever some blockhead in a suit lies to me from behind a podium. It works. Politically, things are a mess but the things I control in my little life are going about as well as I can manage. It’s a relief and it’s probably something that should have been obvious to me all along. Good luck folks.
A.C.
P.S. Once a newshound, I’ve pretty much given up on most print media. I derive more joy watching my chickens crap on the lawn. The single exception is Backwoods Home Magazine. It’s the only subscription I still maintain.