One of the major drawbacks about being unemployed (in addition to the lack of spending capitol and limited housing options) is the fact that I don’t get to interact with people as well. I’m not a Howard Hughes recluse by any means, most days go by without me getting to connect or debate with people.
In lieu of my lack of discussion partners, and the subsequent deterioration in my mental condition, we introduce a section called…
Personal Point – Counterpoint
In this forum, I will pit the conflicting sides of myself against each other and see if we can find some kind of consensus. I also play the moderator. Under such conditions, it isn’t likely that common ground will be found, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone. When was the last time you saw someone convert their opponent on one of those so-called “debate” shows? That’s what we thought.
Before we start with plural first person pronouns too much, let me also note that the differing voices will clearly marked and distinguishable.
MEdiator: And let us now begin with no further rambling; we’ll leave that up to the panelists. For our premiere discussion, the topic is the current state of politics in the United States. We flipped a coin backstage to see who would go first. Our first panelist won. The second panelist demanded to go for best out of three, then five, and then, before he could work out the next fraction in the sequence, the first panelist began his opening statement.
Me One: I believe in the potential of our modern American democracy.
First admission, things aren’t doing so well on our political stages. But I would quick to follow that with an important observation: things could easily get worse; things can easily get better. Both are reasons to get excited and get involved.
One of the interesting things about American politics is that every day has the potential to be a turning point. This is supposed to be a government “by the people, for the people.”
We don’t take advantage of that privilege as frequently as we should. A lot of things are brewing. The greater public has the power to turn up the heat. This is the time to get things boiling.
Pick a pot, pick a passion, pick peck (second noun definition), just act on them. Be invested for a change, rather than just skimming the highlights on the news. Big things are happening in politics and people seem to spend more time focusing on the latest celebrity hookup or breakdown. The last big divorce didn’t impact me financially (though you’d think we were all in line for monetary compensation based on the countless hours of coverage). Real money decisions are currently being debated at all levels of government that will have a true impact on us. We should pay attention to that rather than certain superstars’ rebound couplings.
There are more outlets for influence than ever before. Despite questions about lobbyists and the role of money in politics (stupid, worthless Feingold-McCain campaign finance law), the constituents still hold the ultimate power. Your e-mail, your phone call, your dollars, and your vote make the difference. We should employ them.
If our leaders are appearing to be stumbling, we need to take that as a cue to stand up ourselves. That is why, though I am unhappy with the way many things are proceeding in our nation, I am optimistic that we will not lose the opportunity to change things for the better. Thank you.
Me Two: I believe Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone on the grassy knoll. I also think the current state of politics bites the big one.
I recently heard a guy on talk radio ask, “Do politicians stand for anything these days?” Of course politicians take stances. Three immediately come to mind: perks, pork, and re-election. One feeds the next that fuels the next the re-starts the process; it’s the “lather, rinse, repeat” of the political world.
A bureaucracy, by definition, is huge. Imagine a classroom filled with kindergarteners and a tray of chocolate chip cookies. If you only have a handful in there, it’s not going to be that bad. But as the number rises, and the sugar kicks in, you know it’s going to get ugly. Every munchkin isn’t going to be a deplorable miniature punk, but there is no doubt (ethically or mathematically) that some are going to be in the mix.
There will always be corruption in this type of system. It’s unavoidable and I’m personally tired of hearing about it. This is why I advocate the former system of Greek city-states. Form your own outpost and run it by the rules that you see fit.
You like anarchy? Find a bunch of like-minded friends and go play Mad Max. Want to be green? Build yourself the biggest tree house that the world has ever seen. Want to play Emperor Nero? No? Well then stay away from Locust Street; they’ve got the whole bread and circuses thing going on down there.
Modern times call for modern means. If it’s broke, you don’t always have to fix it. You can probably buy a different, cheaper model that would better suit your needs. Stop living in the past just because it’s the only life you’ve known. You’ve always argued you could do a better job than “the man.” Here’s your chance to prove it. The revolution is in your court.
MEdiator: Time for rebuttals.
Me One: As tempting as it may be sometimes, I’m not ready to put in for a total brand swap. History tells us democracy works. It also tells us we have to put a lot of effort and energy into it to reach a profitable efficiency.
I hate to cite the same words twice – though Lincoln isn’t a bad guy to repeat – but this is a government “by the people.” That means it will reflect the people as a whole. The good and bad and the mediocre will all be on stage. With this mirror, we should be challenged to work harder to address the obvious blemishes. The government won’t get better until we, the citizenry, do something about our own outlook and actions.
It will take a group effort, which is why I would denounce the “city state” idea advocated by my opponent. American democracy provides a healthy forum for the exchange of a ideas. The “free for all” approach may work for a short time, but soon the different camps will start challenging each other and will lack the outlets for proper discourse. The nudists will attack the outposts of haberdashers (though only in the warmer climates). Anarchists won’t be content to let their philosopher-king led neighbors alone.
And while personally I’d love to see a “exchange” between the (Superdome gladiators and a group of Quakers (And don’t be quick to count the bearded guys out (because I’ve seen the movie Witness and I know they can get fearsome when backed into a corner), the unavoidable combative framework is way too combustible.
Seriously. The current framework is fine. Being “old fashioned” or “traditional” isn’t foolish if the system works, and American democracy still works.
Me Two: You’re such an idiot.
Getting beyond Superdome, you have to admit that the “Class of 2005” set of politicians are horrible. And I’ve been reading the collector’s guide for a while and can tell you that it’s been a while since we’ve had a good year. I’m not asking for a bunch of 1776-level all stars, or a heavy hitter to build a franchise around (like a Lincoln or Roosevelt). I’d wager most people would be happy with a farm team player with average stats and no doping allegations.
I am reminded of an old Calvin and Hobbes strip. Calvin is arguing with his teacher about a C ranking he got on an assignment. He believes he should have gotten more for accurately answering 70 percent. Imagine if the government worked at a 70 percent level, he challenges. The people would be ecstatic, Calvin not so outlandishly predicts.
Compared to that level, he concludes, shouldn’t he expect more for efforts work?
Calvin, as expected, loses his battle. But that doesn’t mean we should cease our fight. Shouldn’t we expect more from our politicians and, should they not work out, shouldn’t we replace them all. Screw simple “regime” change. I’m ready to replace the whole line up.
I’m not afraid of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. With waters this foul, the baby should be smart enough to pull himself out of the pool
MEdiator: Closing remarks.
Me One: The fact that we can see the problems in the current system is a good thing. When mistakes occur in a vacuum, debates will be delayed. And the longer we wait to address the problem, the longer we will wait for solution. The fact that the public is starting to ask questions is a good thing. We’ve taken another step. Now is the time to make sure we keep progressing forward (running in place, simulating motion, won’t do).
Today is the day of action and I can’t think of a better arena to fight than the one set up under the American Constitution. We’ll figure it all out. We’re Americans. That’s what we do.
Me Two: Guns with nuns vs. everybody. Admit it. You’d want to see how that one plays out. The arena I advocate is much more entertaining. Those who answer the “call to action” I sound will have the opportunity to settle many things for good. I’d wager many blueprints for paradise aren’t worth the paper they’re outlined on. Getting past the theoretical and into the applied will finally settle many long standing debates. I’d wager many “all natural, back to nature” advocates couldn’t live by the tenants they preach; but more power to their position if they prove they can. Sink or swim, I say, and let the survivors make the best of their world.
MEdiator: Please make your final, summarizing comments.
Me One: “For the people, by the people.”
Me Two: Dueling utopias.
MEdiator: I’d like to thank you both for your remarks today. I’d also like to extend thanks to Tina Turner, who, in the role of Aunty Entity, built the methane-powered outpost of the Superdome. And last, and most importantly, thank go out to the viewers who put up with this madness. Should members of the audience wish to site this entry in the future as a reason to commit the author, our panelists see no reason why that shouldn’t be allowed, marking the one thing they’ve agreed on all day long.
