The Angry American

We were taught that in polite company, you don’t talk about money, religion, or politics. My personal feeling is “what else is there worth talking about”!? It’s time we all talk about these things. We can’t be silent – they’re too important.

I do believe in ground rules, however, and try my hardest to not engage in cheap, “aha gotcha!” moments. I know how vastly amusing they are to observers, and how satisfying they can be for me, but really, how productive are they? I’m no saint, but I do want to try to listen and learn new perspectives and understand those of different opinions.

It seems to me that politics involves a lot of “make-believe future scenarios” in everyone’s heads. That scenario can be rosy and positive or apocalyptic doom and gloom. And once that picture gets in someone’s head, they’re prepared to fight to the death to defend it! For example, some believe Obama’s health care reform WILL really fix all the problems in our current health care system. Others believe it WILL be another governmental screw-up of astronomical proportions and dire financial consequences. I fall in the latter category.

The truth is no one can see the future, but we can look at history, precedence, for clues. (Even that is problematic as interpretations vary.) Actually, has there EVER been a good outcome when the government was put in charge of it? I’m curious, because everything I’ve read or heard is “no, never.”

I opposed Obama’s health care reform; but, I was OUTRAGED by the manner in which it passed. In case you’re unaware, the final version of this 1400-page bill was delivered mere hours before a vote was forced at 10:30 at night. Arms were twisted, deals were made. D’s changed nay votes last-minute, then announced they weren’t running for re-election (because they knew their chances were slim, facing their angry constituents, and they had been promised other positions anyway by their party and president). This was a complete break-down of the system.

And the people are angry, VERY angry. Their voices are supposed to be heard, their votes are supposed to count. No one trusts any more that even the most basic rules of the system are being observed. How will all this anger play out? That’s the real scary scenario of doom and gloom in my head.

The Obama administration seems to not grasp the situation and plans to force even more unpopular, crazy policy in the near future. The liberal media continues to do its best to spin the people’s anger as radical, or racist, or unfounded.

How can I impress on everyone this simple fact: AMERICA IS ANGRY. Please make no mistake about it.

Upcoming: My son Farnsworth is on the front lines, dealing with America’s anger and mistrust every day, as a telephone campaign worker for an R candidate gunning for a Washington seat, and as a door-to-door enumerator for the US Census. I hope to be able to share some firsthand information regarding this mood of the people.