Son, they say there isn’t any royalty in this country,
but do you want me to tell you how to be king of the United States?
Just fall through the hole in a privy and come out smelling like a rose.
~Kurt Vonnegut
Our American political climate has deteriorated so
thoroughly that global warnings from
prominent, well-respected sources are daily occurrences. Of course, I have some ideas about why the flames of hatred have risen
so high, about the reasons so many Americans fear unknown, unnamed others and,
rather than seek comity, choose to overcome their sense of futility and
ineptness by brandishing firearms and spewing hatred.
I found it easy to be engaged in the news surrounding the
first few months of the three-ring circus leading up to the “choice” people
from the two major parties.
Lately I feel
as though I have to protect myself, my mind, my being, from becoming exactly
what I’ve worked so hard for so many years to NOT become: cynical, suspicious
and angry.
In order to
deflect, I’m drawing more into myself—becoming more introspective—while also
surrounding myself with what I love and whom I love. I can never be the
“Pollyanna” person I always felt my mother personified, but I also can never be
the gloom and doom character my father often presented to his family.
Years ago, I convinced myself I could embody the better characteristics
of both parents: it’s often helpful to look on the bright side of life and it’s
definitely a bonus when one has the ability to temper that with a bit of
skepticism.
I look outside and see semi-white clouds and rays of
sunshine glinting off golden and russet autumn leaves. The beauty of fall—but
there’s rain in the forecast.
So, as I “drive”
along this particular highway filled with crazy political potholes, I know there's always the chance I'll be side-swiped or caught unaware. I'll likely stay a bit to the left, closer to the middle of the road.
All of us who are concerned for peace
and triumph of reason and justice
must be keenly aware how small an influence
reason and honest good will exert
upon events in the political field.
~Albert Einstein
[graphic Wikimedia Commons]
