For the past several weeks, we have seen both political parties posture and play with fire regarding the nation’s debt ceiling. This is akin to tossing a newborn up in the air and hoping it lands in someone’s arms when you are the only person around. All you can do is look at the horror you created at the end and say, “Well…I didn’t mean to…” because trust me my friends, that is exactly what the excuse will be on August 3rd when the world’s Economy tanks; Moody’s will lower our credit to a “D” rating (as they have threatened); and all that you saved for in your 401 K takes such a beating you will have to work at least 10 years past that which you planned to retire by. Social Security will stop (and so will 20% of my household income) and Medicare will stop paying the bills (my treatment for that which causes my disability is Medicare paid). You are going to have a lot of angry, disabled, and white haired people with walkers out there. This will not be what either Party expects, because the backlash of those people (I might as well say “us” because I’m in that group) will be intense. How about a massive march/roll/limp/walk on Washington for starters? Go right up the the steps of the Capitol and tell them just what they have done to your life. Tell them how you can no longer live, or pay your bills, or eat, or get the medicine you need…it’s almost like Paul Ryan’s plan put into motion by the simple act of a few key Republican right wingnuts not understanding the world and national impact of their selfishness.
And then the time will come when we realize that all our lives, what we have been fed are lies and more lies by people who govern with the consent of the governed for the benefit of the corporations. We will all realize, every single one of us, that every single politician in Washington needs to be replaced NOW, starting with our disappointing President on down (and don’t worry Supreme Court…you’ll be in line too). The major problem is that we have a two Party system that is more than broken; it is simply the tattered remains of a once great nation. It is a system that treats Corporations as people and allows them the right to have a voice in the election hiding behind groups like, “People For The American Way” and “Freedom Works”…both of which are neither. They are groups that do not have to divulge where their funding comes from, so we know not which corporate slave master is responsible for attempting to steer the ship of state their way…but in this case, all we have are a bunch of rocks and sirens who can’t sing in key. So the ship travels onward aimlessly because our Captain is way too busy trying to make nice with those who seek to destroy him. And this is the biggest disappointment to me of the past four years: President Obama.
When he was nominated, I cried…because I was the one who ran in to tell my mom that Martin Luther Kind had died. I remember the marches, and the body counts on the news all during my formidable years as a youngster in the late 60’s; most assuredly born ten years too late. When he was elected, I wept with my daughter because we were so happy that a person of color could finally reach the highest office in the land…and while I remember growing up in Brooklyn and Staten Island and the “hidden” racism of the North…my daughter was crying because her friends had something to be proud of the next day. Whereas I went to school in a lilly white borough of NYC, she grew up in a suburban town of mixed backgrounds socially, economically, and racially. There was so much promise, especially after 8 years of having my beloved Constitution treated like a gum wrapper rather than the sacred document it was. There was hope again…a hope a dream of a new beginning for all of us. Unlike the first time we heard the expression, I truly believed that it was indeed “morning in America”…until someone turned out the lights that is.
Closing Gitmo? Not yet done although it had been attempted. War Crimes persecution for those who lied us into a war that cost the lives over several hundred thousand human beings let alone close to 6,000 of our own precious blood…and scores more of wounded? None…taken off the table, just like impeachment was two years prior by Pelosi and Reid. To think that Congress had once tried to impeach a man for lying about a blow job under oath rather than impeach a man who lied about starting a war and not following the same Constitution he had sworn to protect…if this isn’t the height of folly I don’t know what is. Lowballing his demands on what he envisioned as a national healthcare system led to a fight that damaged his credibility and created a program with no teeth that costs a lot more money than Medicare for all would have (and in fact would have made that program financially solid). His repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” should have happened on January 21 2009…screw McCain and the others who want American Empire to continue although we cannot afford to maintain it. He gave in on the Bush tax cuts extending them a year…giving the wealthy more for their pockets instead of the treasury getting its fair share. He has been remarkably silent on the Union busting going on and has for some reason delayed the card-check bill that was supposed to be on the legislative calendar years ago. He has become owned lock stock and barrel by the corporations and basically is now in the untenable situation of either having to acquiesce to their demands on the budget or not have the debt ceiling raised. And here we are…
…in the midst of the most turbulent period in this country’s history although it may not appear that way now. History will not be kind to these men and women in power; these 535 people who do not listen to their constituents but who may have a lot of listening to do in the next few months as the new poor and dying come to their offices and march on the Capitol. History will remember the names of those few who plunged the world economy into the abyss. More importantly, the populace will remember that it was both Republicans and Democrats who did this to them…and then begin to look at alternatives. Can a Third Party emerge? Will it be possible to publicly finance elections and not allow private contributions, so that all have an equal shot at office…not just the rich and powerful or those whom they support. Or will it finally be time for “Independents Day”, when the People become so backed into a corner that they come out fighting mad.
And rather than the tears of joy I once shed at the election of this man, I now shed tears of sorrow at how fast he was turned into something else…a man who no longer resembles the man who gave us all hope 4 short years ago. And as I write this on the day of our Independence from Great Britain, I only hope that we can find the inner strength to do it again to those in power now who seek to use America for their own nefarious ends rather than the bastion of freedom and justice it’s supposed to be. Use the ballot box. Run for office. Write and speak at rallies. Make your voice heard in any way possible, because you never know when even that simple right may be taken away…because you are too damned tired from working three jobs to make ends meet to get involved.
You’ll be more than happy just to sit and watch it all unfold on Fox, or CNN, or MSNBC (or whatever channel will feed you the Party Line because they will all be saying the same thing in a few years) and let someone else do the work. After all, you have now been mollified by your 50 inch Sony Plasma TV and comfy chair.
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? – Thomas Jefferson
Intersections In Real Time 