Some push back on the claim that hatred and violence are more prevalent in America today and in the past hundred years. They suggest that it may seem that way but it is only because of faster and more thorough communication of violence than any statistical increase. That is open to discussion.
There is no argument, however, that civility is at a low ebb...lower than that in the past half century at least. Insults, disrespect, and harassment used to be not only objectionable, but cause for being ostracized from society at large and any consideration for holding authoritative office or employment. If you wished to be respected and have your ideas and beliefs considered seriously, you did not act or speak impolitely or insultingly. To do so was to invite violent reaction; most of us remember the term, "fighting words" as cause for violent reaction. Insulting your family would result in a violent fight and the courts saw the person uttering the disrespectful phrase or label as at fault.
Today, such a person is not ostracized, disrespected or shunned. Instead, they are elected to public office. If they are proven liars, they are re-elected to public office and not held to account; they are even granted immunity from legal action for libel and slander. Apparently consequences no longer exist for such.
Consider it may very well be this lack of consequences that has given rise to increased violence and deaths.
Hatred, anger and disrespect have always existed. It has been the combination of laws and societal norms that have served to cause those with those feelings to keep them to themselves in order to continue to earn a living and be generally accepted in society...these people felt the pressure of being unacceptable to all around them should they "act out" their antisocial feelings.
For many who disagreed with the ideology, beliefs and false statements of President Obama, these factors controlled. Mutterings were heard, but the concept of honoring our elective system(s) over-rode the anger and dislike of some, if not many, of President Obama's administration.
The election results of 2016 was considered by many at the time as a case of "what goes around, comes around." But the Left decided, whether individually or collectively, that such was not to be the case. They have, so far, thrown a three year tantrum! Vocal calls for Impeachment were heard even before President Trump was inaugurated. Disrespect and anger were the watchwords of the day. Harassment and actual assault was deemed appropriate behavior. Supporters and members of Mr. Trump's administration were chased from public spaces, from restaurants and followed down public streets subject to vile insulting language. They were not protected by the law or law enforcement; courts now discovered that such vile behavior was "free speech." Never before had assault and harassment been considered by the law or American society as constituting "Free Speech."
Consider that the more acceptable emotional outbursts become, the closer those that have emotional feeling come to that line of behavior that involves actual violence. An analogy would the that allowing everyone permission to stand closer to the edge of a cliff is not only likely, but certain, to result in more people falling off the edge.
That is what America is living with today. If we truly desire to be a civilized nation...if we want once again to respect all around us even as we disagree on programs, ideas and personal lives...perhaps we need to consider reining in our passions...our emotions. Maybe it is time to respect each other; not just our friends, but even those who are not our friends.
What continues to be aggravating is that the Left is currently blaming President Trump's administration for this hatred and the resulting violence, calling upon him to put a stop to it. Considering that the hatred AND the violence began with the "resist" movement, assaults and harassment by Antifa, calls on the public to harass any and all Trump appointees and supporters by the Left's elected representatives (Representatives Barbara Lee, Ted Lieu, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell, Maxine Waters, Senators Kamala Harris, Charles Schumer, Governor Andrew Cuomo, among many others) one is tempted to laugh out loud at the hypocrisy.
Almost half of the voters in 2016 (some suggest MORE than half) have abandoned civility and past societal norms, advocating the casting away of the United States Constitutions Freedoms and protections in favor of mob rule.
Their words and actions have brought the American Republic to the brink of disaster. If they succeed we all...our children and grandchildren...will reap the consequences.
Showing posts with label civility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civility. Show all posts
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Monday, December 30, 2019
The Left's Game Plan: Authoritarianism over Civility
The actions and words of those on the Progressive Left in the United States of America support the concept that they are prepared to sacrifice civility, honor, and respect for election results and people of a different opinion in favor of authoritarian Rule.
Consider that Leftist Office Holder were admitting intent to impeach duly elected Republican President Trump within moments of his taking office. He had not yet acted in any official capacity, yet the Left was prepared to obstruct his authority to hold office.
Consider that members of the Leftist action group, Antifa, wear face masks while harassing and assaulting any people even suspected of not favoring Leftist political positions and actions. Leftist Officials...police AND Judges...dismiss charges against any members almost universally without any penalty for their lawless actions.
Leftist Members of Congress encourage harassment in public of any who fail to vocally support the Leftist Agenda and Ideology.
Leftist Media censor news to allow only pro-Leftist events to air or appear in print, and both create and promote false reports that denigrate all non-Leftist points of view. The further refuse to investigate any actions by any on the Left that might be improper or criminal in nature. They have resurrected the Goebbels' Big Lie to supplant journalism.
Universities, Colleges and Grade Schools have given up teaching American History, requiring students to learn to read and do arithmetic at grade levels before being passed to a higher grqade and been shown to indoctrinate students with Leftist points of view, rather that to learn ALL points of view and challenge each in debate. Further, they now refuse to honor the Constitution's guarantee of Free Speech, in favor ot Authoritarian limit of all but Leftist points of view.
Civil discourse has disappeared from government and public arenas. Personal insults have taken the place of critiquing ideas and positions. "Meanness" prevails.
Defense of and acquisition of Power has become the singular goal of the Left, and they are clearly prepared to use any and all means, both legal and illegal, both moral and immoral, both Constitutional and unconstitutional, to achieve that power and authority. They are clearly prepared to destroy the Republic in order to achieve their goal of authoritarian Control of America.
They have awakened the animosity, the ire, and the violent anger of those long-suffering folks not on the Left, who are fed up with the disrespect delivered on them and will not condone a continuation of this destruction of civility, of respect, and of moral conscience.
Enough!
Consider that Leftist Office Holder were admitting intent to impeach duly elected Republican President Trump within moments of his taking office. He had not yet acted in any official capacity, yet the Left was prepared to obstruct his authority to hold office.
Consider that members of the Leftist action group, Antifa, wear face masks while harassing and assaulting any people even suspected of not favoring Leftist political positions and actions. Leftist Officials...police AND Judges...dismiss charges against any members almost universally without any penalty for their lawless actions.
Leftist Members of Congress encourage harassment in public of any who fail to vocally support the Leftist Agenda and Ideology.
Leftist Media censor news to allow only pro-Leftist events to air or appear in print, and both create and promote false reports that denigrate all non-Leftist points of view. The further refuse to investigate any actions by any on the Left that might be improper or criminal in nature. They have resurrected the Goebbels' Big Lie to supplant journalism.
Universities, Colleges and Grade Schools have given up teaching American History, requiring students to learn to read and do arithmetic at grade levels before being passed to a higher grqade and been shown to indoctrinate students with Leftist points of view, rather that to learn ALL points of view and challenge each in debate. Further, they now refuse to honor the Constitution's guarantee of Free Speech, in favor ot Authoritarian limit of all but Leftist points of view.
Civil discourse has disappeared from government and public arenas. Personal insults have taken the place of critiquing ideas and positions. "Meanness" prevails.
Defense of and acquisition of Power has become the singular goal of the Left, and they are clearly prepared to use any and all means, both legal and illegal, both moral and immoral, both Constitutional and unconstitutional, to achieve that power and authority. They are clearly prepared to destroy the Republic in order to achieve their goal of authoritarian Control of America.
They have awakened the animosity, the ire, and the violent anger of those long-suffering folks not on the Left, who are fed up with the disrespect delivered on them and will not condone a continuation of this destruction of civility, of respect, and of moral conscience.
Enough!
Thursday, November 16, 2017
America is on the brink of becoming a "3rd world country"
My definition (and my suggested reason for the existence) of a "3rd world country" is the absence of the rule of law. The status has nothing to do with the form of government. Even a dictatorship can be responsive to the needs of a majority of its people. Chaos, violence, denial of respect of "others," and a desire to eliminate or render powerless and inconsequential all those who would disagree or challenge a "different" point of view are the characteristics most prevalent.
With the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States, the above characteristics have become predominant...even in those elected to public office. Prior to his election, once an election was concluded and votes counted, those who considered themselves on the losing side would grouse, whine and moan...often loudly for a bit, promising the collapse of civilization as they knew it...but then retreat to wait for the next election; there was a respect for the election process and the rule of law.
One can argue that the election of President Trump was a legal revolt by the voters. Clearly a majority felt that those elected to public office were no longer honoring their oath of office to represent the citizenry, but were actively pursuing self-aggrandizement, accumulation of personal wealth and of power. Those possessing the perquisites of elected office find the presence of Mr. Trump in the White House to be a threat to their "elite" status and power, so they...in some cases quietly, in other openly and loudly...do all they can to render him powerless.
Unfortunately, these efforts have not been confined to sanctioned legal political maneuvering. Elected holders of office and even the press have openly challenged the right of President Trump to hold office, regardless of the fact that the election has been legally certified. For the first time, elected office holders are urging the portion of the public that disagreed with Mr. Trump's electioneering promises to disregard and disrespect the election and the rule of law, with the intent of disrupting and eliminating any discussion on policy and action in favor of emotional mob rule. Some have even spoken of their desire that Mr. Trump be "eliminated" only to later disingenuously argue that they only meant removal from office...even as their acolytes and supporters violently demonstrate, injuring persons and destroying property as they go.
These people behave as if laws are "optional"...only to be obeyed if they happen to agree with them. Civility and respect for others is now almost universally absent in America, except for small, almost secretive enclaves where people still value disagreeing with others without acting disagreeably. Friendships and marriages are failing and disappearing because of this encouragement of mob rule as a replacement for the rule of law.
It could be argued that this path started decades ago when the secularists in America began convincing a majority the the rules of behavior handed down in the Bible should be considered the Ten "Suggestions", open to both interpretation and human approval. Predictably, that now is extending to our secular laws of behavior, as those who chose to ignore and act contrary to law insist that they should not be required to suffer "consequences" for their transgressions.
With the ongoing combination of polarization, disrespect for those who do not agree with us, and the encouragement to disrespect not only the law but also those who enforce the law, it is certain that increased violence will result, as those so inclined will feel encouraged to kill and otherwise eliminate all who do not agree with them. And that, my friends, is exactly what happens in 3rd world countries. Take the time to breath deeply, set emotions aside, quietly calm yourself and consider if this is what you want for your country, much less the world around you.
Mob rule in this country was violent. And the day after, most of the members were quietly embarrassed and ashamed of their actions. Unfortunately, today's Media encourages and excuses the excesses, even labeling them as justified and proper, not particularly surprising as it if financially and ideologically rewarding for the media to do so. One wonders if the framers of the Constitution had that in mind when they gave the Press the freedom to libel and slander as they wish under the guise of "freedom" of the press. The result is that one Mob rule moves on and pops up somewhere else, sometimes under a different name or "cause." It makes me consider seeing them as the mob equivalent to the renown "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York" first described in "Guys & Dolls."
It would be reassuring to think that America will wake up at some point in the cold, harsh light of reason and reverse course.
That isn't going to happen.
With the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency of the United States, the above characteristics have become predominant...even in those elected to public office. Prior to his election, once an election was concluded and votes counted, those who considered themselves on the losing side would grouse, whine and moan...often loudly for a bit, promising the collapse of civilization as they knew it...but then retreat to wait for the next election; there was a respect for the election process and the rule of law.
One can argue that the election of President Trump was a legal revolt by the voters. Clearly a majority felt that those elected to public office were no longer honoring their oath of office to represent the citizenry, but were actively pursuing self-aggrandizement, accumulation of personal wealth and of power. Those possessing the perquisites of elected office find the presence of Mr. Trump in the White House to be a threat to their "elite" status and power, so they...in some cases quietly, in other openly and loudly...do all they can to render him powerless.
Unfortunately, these efforts have not been confined to sanctioned legal political maneuvering. Elected holders of office and even the press have openly challenged the right of President Trump to hold office, regardless of the fact that the election has been legally certified. For the first time, elected office holders are urging the portion of the public that disagreed with Mr. Trump's electioneering promises to disregard and disrespect the election and the rule of law, with the intent of disrupting and eliminating any discussion on policy and action in favor of emotional mob rule. Some have even spoken of their desire that Mr. Trump be "eliminated" only to later disingenuously argue that they only meant removal from office...even as their acolytes and supporters violently demonstrate, injuring persons and destroying property as they go.
These people behave as if laws are "optional"...only to be obeyed if they happen to agree with them. Civility and respect for others is now almost universally absent in America, except for small, almost secretive enclaves where people still value disagreeing with others without acting disagreeably. Friendships and marriages are failing and disappearing because of this encouragement of mob rule as a replacement for the rule of law.
It could be argued that this path started decades ago when the secularists in America began convincing a majority the the rules of behavior handed down in the Bible should be considered the Ten "Suggestions", open to both interpretation and human approval. Predictably, that now is extending to our secular laws of behavior, as those who chose to ignore and act contrary to law insist that they should not be required to suffer "consequences" for their transgressions.
With the ongoing combination of polarization, disrespect for those who do not agree with us, and the encouragement to disrespect not only the law but also those who enforce the law, it is certain that increased violence will result, as those so inclined will feel encouraged to kill and otherwise eliminate all who do not agree with them. And that, my friends, is exactly what happens in 3rd world countries. Take the time to breath deeply, set emotions aside, quietly calm yourself and consider if this is what you want for your country, much less the world around you.
Mob rule in this country was violent. And the day after, most of the members were quietly embarrassed and ashamed of their actions. Unfortunately, today's Media encourages and excuses the excesses, even labeling them as justified and proper, not particularly surprising as it if financially and ideologically rewarding for the media to do so. One wonders if the framers of the Constitution had that in mind when they gave the Press the freedom to libel and slander as they wish under the guise of "freedom" of the press. The result is that one Mob rule moves on and pops up somewhere else, sometimes under a different name or "cause." It makes me consider seeing them as the mob equivalent to the renown "Oldest Established Permanent Floating Crap Game in New York" first described in "Guys & Dolls."
It would be reassuring to think that America will wake up at some point in the cold, harsh light of reason and reverse course.
That isn't going to happen.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Has America stopped respecting and being governed by the Constitution?
My generation revered the Constitution. Beginning in grade school...and right through High School...all kinds of History classes were linked and compared to the Constitution, comparing and contrasting it's content against other governments in other times. The Founding Fathers were also shown great respect for the thought and considerations they embodied in the Constitution, and than the Bill of Rights...and even the declarations and wording of the Declaration of Independence.
Not so anymore.
My grandchildren to to highly ranked schools, several now in Middle school, one in High School, one in College. They had almost zero teaching centering on the Constitution. Any time spent on the Founding Fathers seemed designed to find fault and to "bring them down" to a level that was disrespectful of their person's and, by extension, their work product. Their teaching seems designed, through criticism as well as neglect, to create disrespect for the "idea" of America.
Today technology seems to rule. Technology is a wonderful tool, although I often think that the young people of today have become too dependent on it; they don't know multiplication tables in their head, they often can't do simple math and need a calculator, a slide rule is an unworkable puzzle to them, and except for the math "nerds" Algebra and the solving of simultaneous equations might as well be Greek (and don't get me started on languages and vocabulary). They can't write legibly...even printing is questionable, and they can't "problem solve" without "Google" or "Bing" and they are lost if the internet goes down for even a moment. They "text" to each other even if in the same room, and walk down streets and malls blind to the actual world around them. Most don't know their elected officials on any level, have no idea of how any government actually works, can't create a budget, read anything that takes more than 3 minutes, and can't be bothered to be civil to anyone. Discuss the assumptions that the founding fathers had when they started to consider and create and write, and you get puzzled, confounded faces.
The concepts of "opportunity", "consequences", Pursuit", "earning", "civility", "responsibility", and "respect for others"...among others...is foreign to them. They are familiar with the concepts of "being owed", "privileges", "my rights", "someone else's fault", and other narcissistic traits. Their schooling (not sure if that term is appropriate any longer...perhaps indoctrination would be more truthful) and their experiences as they went through their school years have indicated that this is the way to look at life.
"Someone" has done these folks a disservice. And that "someone" is us...all of us. Oh, I could write for hours on the Progressive infiltration and present control of the entirety of our educational (Yeah...right!) systems, from Kindergarten (note the Germanic origin of the word...our school system is based on the Prussian Model that was intended as much for indoctrination and regimentation as it was for any real education. Basic reading, writing and math was fine, but independent problem solving and thinking was not desired) through Doctorate Level Degrees and the application of Alinsky's Rules to turn out intellectually inadequate "graduates." I could point out how many of the High School Graduates today cannot write a cogent sentence, cannot spell, cannot do simple math without a machine, and are unable to concentrate for more than 3 minutes on anything before wanted and...in some cases...needing to consult "Facebook" or the like.
But what is most disappointing is that it is our collective fault. The not-so-slow disintegration of our society has not been done in secret. It has happened out in the open and ... although couched in ways and terms that seemed legal, civil, and considerate at the time ... we all knew that we were allowing a diminution of our ideals and allowing avoidance of the concepts of "right" and "wrong." Oh, we had excuses. We had "reasons". The end results was that we gave up the concept of standards and the expectation of "striving" in favor of the lowest common denominator; of not wanting anyone to "feel bad" about not being first. And we gave up on the standards assumed in the Constitution to be a constant...that of "earning" one's way, of suffering consequences of bad decisions, of recognizing that there is such a thing as failure...and that one can actually learn from it and use failure as a sign-post to success. This is the kind of thing that a study of the Greek Empire and the Roman Empire would have revealed to our children and grandchildren. Such an understanding is essential to being a good citizen, whether having a College Education or not...but it no longer is taught in our Grade, Middle, and High Schools. Oh, an occasional perceptive teacher who is dedicated to his or her students' well-being and success in life may include some portion in the course of a semester or year...but not many do, some because they themselves are not aware of its importance.
Is it too late to save the "idea" of America? I want to believe that it is not, but...when close to 50% of us are living on the Government's tab rather than on what we have achieved and earned on our own, and that Government tab is creating what is approaching Nineteen Trillion ($19,000,000,000)Dollars in debt, it is hard to see any way to repay it without telling a lot of people, many of which will be determined voters if you take away their "free" stuff, "NO!" Madison and Jefferson warned about the dangers once any democratic form of government served a populace who discovered they could vote themselves money that they didn't earn. I fear that we are now there...
Not so anymore.
My grandchildren to to highly ranked schools, several now in Middle school, one in High School, one in College. They had almost zero teaching centering on the Constitution. Any time spent on the Founding Fathers seemed designed to find fault and to "bring them down" to a level that was disrespectful of their person's and, by extension, their work product. Their teaching seems designed, through criticism as well as neglect, to create disrespect for the "idea" of America.
Today technology seems to rule. Technology is a wonderful tool, although I often think that the young people of today have become too dependent on it; they don't know multiplication tables in their head, they often can't do simple math and need a calculator, a slide rule is an unworkable puzzle to them, and except for the math "nerds" Algebra and the solving of simultaneous equations might as well be Greek (and don't get me started on languages and vocabulary). They can't write legibly...even printing is questionable, and they can't "problem solve" without "Google" or "Bing" and they are lost if the internet goes down for even a moment. They "text" to each other even if in the same room, and walk down streets and malls blind to the actual world around them. Most don't know their elected officials on any level, have no idea of how any government actually works, can't create a budget, read anything that takes more than 3 minutes, and can't be bothered to be civil to anyone. Discuss the assumptions that the founding fathers had when they started to consider and create and write, and you get puzzled, confounded faces.
The concepts of "opportunity", "consequences", Pursuit", "earning", "civility", "responsibility", and "respect for others"...among others...is foreign to them. They are familiar with the concepts of "being owed", "privileges", "my rights", "someone else's fault", and other narcissistic traits. Their schooling (not sure if that term is appropriate any longer...perhaps indoctrination would be more truthful) and their experiences as they went through their school years have indicated that this is the way to look at life.
"Someone" has done these folks a disservice. And that "someone" is us...all of us. Oh, I could write for hours on the Progressive infiltration and present control of the entirety of our educational (Yeah...right!) systems, from Kindergarten (note the Germanic origin of the word...our school system is based on the Prussian Model that was intended as much for indoctrination and regimentation as it was for any real education. Basic reading, writing and math was fine, but independent problem solving and thinking was not desired) through Doctorate Level Degrees and the application of Alinsky's Rules to turn out intellectually inadequate "graduates." I could point out how many of the High School Graduates today cannot write a cogent sentence, cannot spell, cannot do simple math without a machine, and are unable to concentrate for more than 3 minutes on anything before wanted and...in some cases...needing to consult "Facebook" or the like.
But what is most disappointing is that it is our collective fault. The not-so-slow disintegration of our society has not been done in secret. It has happened out in the open and ... although couched in ways and terms that seemed legal, civil, and considerate at the time ... we all knew that we were allowing a diminution of our ideals and allowing avoidance of the concepts of "right" and "wrong." Oh, we had excuses. We had "reasons". The end results was that we gave up the concept of standards and the expectation of "striving" in favor of the lowest common denominator; of not wanting anyone to "feel bad" about not being first. And we gave up on the standards assumed in the Constitution to be a constant...that of "earning" one's way, of suffering consequences of bad decisions, of recognizing that there is such a thing as failure...and that one can actually learn from it and use failure as a sign-post to success. This is the kind of thing that a study of the Greek Empire and the Roman Empire would have revealed to our children and grandchildren. Such an understanding is essential to being a good citizen, whether having a College Education or not...but it no longer is taught in our Grade, Middle, and High Schools. Oh, an occasional perceptive teacher who is dedicated to his or her students' well-being and success in life may include some portion in the course of a semester or year...but not many do, some because they themselves are not aware of its importance.
Is it too late to save the "idea" of America? I want to believe that it is not, but...when close to 50% of us are living on the Government's tab rather than on what we have achieved and earned on our own, and that Government tab is creating what is approaching Nineteen Trillion ($19,000,000,000)Dollars in debt, it is hard to see any way to repay it without telling a lot of people, many of which will be determined voters if you take away their "free" stuff, "NO!" Madison and Jefferson warned about the dangers once any democratic form of government served a populace who discovered they could vote themselves money that they didn't earn. I fear that we are now there...
Sunday, July 5, 2015
America has left me behind...and I miss her!
I am glad that I am in my twilight years and won't have to suffer the emotional pain for long. It hurts me and I feel sad when events force me to think about what has happened to and in the America that I have loved my whole life.
My parents were immigrants. My father came to this country poor, but with a work ethic and a friend who guaranteed the government that there would be a job and a place for him to stay...a requirement for legal immigration in those days. That may still be so...I don't know. But...my Dad just wanted a chance to see what hard work on his part might accomplish. No guarantees, no promises...just a chance. He didn't speak English, so he took whatever job was available. He learned the language...not perfectly, but well enough, and to read and write it...he wanted to; he saw America as the embodiment of what he wanted to become. He wanted the freedom to put himself on the line and see if he could succeed.
It took him some time to achieve what he saw as success. He and, later, my mother worked long hours. First it was for others then for themselves. They went through the Great Depression and were intent on being prepared should another ever occur. They saved. The borrowed only to purchase a house...and that with misgivings. We never spent money we did not have...that was anathema to them.They taught me to read and to do simple math early in life and explained that those skills would enable me to educate myself and not be dependent on others. And there was no such thing as an excuse for not taking advantage of schooling: I was required to have perfect attention, to do all homework (and show it to my parents daily), and to achieve good grades as they explained that education was the key to getting a chance to succeed in life.
My father never took a Social Security payment...ever...despite living to almost 70. He had saved and he saw taking anything from the government as a hand-out. He had left his native land at a time when his mother had no money and the family had significant debts. Over the years, with increasing means he paid every one of those debts off in full, with interest (even if interest was not demanded).
He gave to those who came on hard times through no fault of their own...but refused even the time of day to those who did not try; those who were slackers, liars, cheaters and what in those days were called naer-do-wells were to be looked upon as unworthy and disreputable and not to ever even be around.
I grew up in an America where to be respected, your word had to be good...it was your bond. And work was honored, and doing your utmost was the standard. Dependence on the good will of others was seen as embarrassing and a failure and you would all you could to get out of that situation, pay back what had been given and again regain your place as a contributing member of the community, not a taker.
Civil discourse was the norm. People could argue on many things: religion, politics, raising children and more. But those arguments were conducted with personal respect of each other...for the right of every person to his or her opinion. And we used good language: whole sentences, with decent construction. In those days, "Sailor's" language was not used in mixed company and only occasionally even when men got together. And even then there was a certain embarrassment after some of the utterances...it just wasn't polite and generally was seen as a sign of an inadequate vocabulary. How much more effective, we felt, to use a word of criticism that required the other person to run to a dictionary, rather than revert to clearly inapplicable scatological utterances.
Classmates of mine in High School got jobs upon graduation: good jobs that paid well. Some of them used the pay from those jobs save up enough to later get a College Education to pursue and dream to which they were dedicated. And some took an occasional course to extend their knowledge but were content to live in the practical world of having a loving family and supporting it and themselves. Those of us who went to college, went with a dream. We wanted to achieve something in particular. Of course in the midst of the striving, the dream often changed a bit...but there was never the thought of spending on a College Education because of any right or entitlement: it was a gift of opportunity and not a way of avoiding the real world or military service. That would have been dishonorable and a waste of our money...or, in some cases, our parents' money...in in even more cases, both our and our parents' money.
That America no longer exists. I liked my country. I respected my country. I respected the morals and the ten commandments of that country. And I respected the immigrants who come to this country according to its laws and with the intent to become Americans...not to bring their previous country's practices and attitudes and languages and make America more like them. They wanted to become Americans. And, except for the grandmothers and grandfathers...they did just that.
Now, everyone seems to believe that consequences of one's actions are a thing of the past. That no one should be either expected or required to earn a living, but should be given any job they want and not held to standards. People "working" for the government don't do their jobs, lie about it and are never held accountable. Our government spends money it doesn't have and claims that it doesn't matter. Our politicians lie to us with increasing frequency and are not only not embarrassed by it...they don't even admit it. And the Press which for decades was a watchdog over all facets of government activity, protecting the public by shining the light of truth, now joins with those in power to protect them from any revelation to the public. Meanwhile the "public" apparently has come to believe that there is such a thing as a "Free" lunch...or free anything. Make that everything.
I miss the America that called out to my parents. I miss the America that I grew up in and both enjoyed and revered for much of my life. I don't recognize the country I now live in...it is still called America, but it no longer has the soul of the country into which I was born and raised. And it makes me feel sad.
My parents were immigrants. My father came to this country poor, but with a work ethic and a friend who guaranteed the government that there would be a job and a place for him to stay...a requirement for legal immigration in those days. That may still be so...I don't know. But...my Dad just wanted a chance to see what hard work on his part might accomplish. No guarantees, no promises...just a chance. He didn't speak English, so he took whatever job was available. He learned the language...not perfectly, but well enough, and to read and write it...he wanted to; he saw America as the embodiment of what he wanted to become. He wanted the freedom to put himself on the line and see if he could succeed.
It took him some time to achieve what he saw as success. He and, later, my mother worked long hours. First it was for others then for themselves. They went through the Great Depression and were intent on being prepared should another ever occur. They saved. The borrowed only to purchase a house...and that with misgivings. We never spent money we did not have...that was anathema to them.They taught me to read and to do simple math early in life and explained that those skills would enable me to educate myself and not be dependent on others. And there was no such thing as an excuse for not taking advantage of schooling: I was required to have perfect attention, to do all homework (and show it to my parents daily), and to achieve good grades as they explained that education was the key to getting a chance to succeed in life.
My father never took a Social Security payment...ever...despite living to almost 70. He had saved and he saw taking anything from the government as a hand-out. He had left his native land at a time when his mother had no money and the family had significant debts. Over the years, with increasing means he paid every one of those debts off in full, with interest (even if interest was not demanded).
He gave to those who came on hard times through no fault of their own...but refused even the time of day to those who did not try; those who were slackers, liars, cheaters and what in those days were called naer-do-wells were to be looked upon as unworthy and disreputable and not to ever even be around.
I grew up in an America where to be respected, your word had to be good...it was your bond. And work was honored, and doing your utmost was the standard. Dependence on the good will of others was seen as embarrassing and a failure and you would all you could to get out of that situation, pay back what had been given and again regain your place as a contributing member of the community, not a taker.
Civil discourse was the norm. People could argue on many things: religion, politics, raising children and more. But those arguments were conducted with personal respect of each other...for the right of every person to his or her opinion. And we used good language: whole sentences, with decent construction. In those days, "Sailor's" language was not used in mixed company and only occasionally even when men got together. And even then there was a certain embarrassment after some of the utterances...it just wasn't polite and generally was seen as a sign of an inadequate vocabulary. How much more effective, we felt, to use a word of criticism that required the other person to run to a dictionary, rather than revert to clearly inapplicable scatological utterances.
Classmates of mine in High School got jobs upon graduation: good jobs that paid well. Some of them used the pay from those jobs save up enough to later get a College Education to pursue and dream to which they were dedicated. And some took an occasional course to extend their knowledge but were content to live in the practical world of having a loving family and supporting it and themselves. Those of us who went to college, went with a dream. We wanted to achieve something in particular. Of course in the midst of the striving, the dream often changed a bit...but there was never the thought of spending on a College Education because of any right or entitlement: it was a gift of opportunity and not a way of avoiding the real world or military service. That would have been dishonorable and a waste of our money...or, in some cases, our parents' money...in in even more cases, both our and our parents' money.
That America no longer exists. I liked my country. I respected my country. I respected the morals and the ten commandments of that country. And I respected the immigrants who come to this country according to its laws and with the intent to become Americans...not to bring their previous country's practices and attitudes and languages and make America more like them. They wanted to become Americans. And, except for the grandmothers and grandfathers...they did just that.
Now, everyone seems to believe that consequences of one's actions are a thing of the past. That no one should be either expected or required to earn a living, but should be given any job they want and not held to standards. People "working" for the government don't do their jobs, lie about it and are never held accountable. Our government spends money it doesn't have and claims that it doesn't matter. Our politicians lie to us with increasing frequency and are not only not embarrassed by it...they don't even admit it. And the Press which for decades was a watchdog over all facets of government activity, protecting the public by shining the light of truth, now joins with those in power to protect them from any revelation to the public. Meanwhile the "public" apparently has come to believe that there is such a thing as a "Free" lunch...or free anything. Make that everything.
I miss the America that called out to my parents. I miss the America that I grew up in and both enjoyed and revered for much of my life. I don't recognize the country I now live in...it is still called America, but it no longer has the soul of the country into which I was born and raised. And it makes me feel sad.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Do Candidates for Public Office always have to resemble Piranhas?
Politics is ugly. There is a lot of passive/aggressive behavior lying just beneath the surface too. During the middle of the last century there was a veneer of civility that provided just a slight softening of the rhetoric. You could sense the vitriol, but it wan't just thrown out there, but couched in nicer terms with a softer, more civil voice.
There is no question that earlier practice of politics in America was extremely crude and lacked any real interest in truth. It seemed actually to thrive on emotional name-calling and broad insults designed to anger the foe and inspire smiles, cheering and clapping by those on your side.
I would suggest that there was a conscious effort to "refine" the political rhetoric as we reached into the middle part of the 20th Century. I always felt that an effort was being put forth to come across to the public as "civilized" in both action and speech...even as the comments sent us all to the dictionaries to determine just how great an insult had just been brandished, albeit by inference or innuendo.
And even as the battles waged at periscope depth, there was what seemed to be genuine friendships among those on opposite sides. As in the courts, folks could argue emotionally and feverishly one against another, yet sit down and share a drink and good conversation as dinner was served with your erstwhile foe.
Today, rare indeed is a friendship...or even acquaintanceship...that crosses ideological lines, even after the close of the work day. Not only do people on opposite sides not understand each other...they don't want to understand each other. At least that is how most of them act, even when saying words to the contrary.
Given that unfortunate state of political art, it nonetheless is confounding to me how people in the same general segment of political ideology can be as negative with each other when vying for a nomination as they are with those diametrically opposed to their point of view. When viewed as the bigger picture, their differences are extremely minor and, while demonstrably important, don't seem to rise to the level that calls for a "take no prisoners" conflict. Yet that is what happens in both major political parties...at least as I view it.
I remember Ronald Reagan's admonition to not speak ill of any fellow Republican. I always like both the sound and the content of that statement. Even as we now embark on the very beginning of a campaign that will result in a new President of these United States of America, we see this strange sense of cannibalism becoming more apparent. There used to be an art to a candidate explaining the plus' of their positions that did not require an attack on anyone else; "I am better than 'xxxxx' because I would 'xxxx.' " caused a listener or reader to think about how that person's election would effect the body he was trying to join...and how it would serve our own community. Those who simply explained why one shouldn't like someone else never used to be a reason to presume that the person deriding another would be a good office holder. So...why does that seem to work now? I doesn't with me, but there has got to a serious expectation of its efficacy since almost everyone seems to do it.
And the serious downside of such negative campaigning is that regardless of who wins, that survivor finds that the infighting has handed the real opponents much ammunition to use in the general election. So...where is the advantage? I just don't see it. Short term, maybe there is a boost...but in the age of video tape and recording the long term result is usually disastrous.
Are politicians and political really so stupid as to continue this absurd practice? I guess we will see in just a bit...
There is no question that earlier practice of politics in America was extremely crude and lacked any real interest in truth. It seemed actually to thrive on emotional name-calling and broad insults designed to anger the foe and inspire smiles, cheering and clapping by those on your side.
I would suggest that there was a conscious effort to "refine" the political rhetoric as we reached into the middle part of the 20th Century. I always felt that an effort was being put forth to come across to the public as "civilized" in both action and speech...even as the comments sent us all to the dictionaries to determine just how great an insult had just been brandished, albeit by inference or innuendo.
And even as the battles waged at periscope depth, there was what seemed to be genuine friendships among those on opposite sides. As in the courts, folks could argue emotionally and feverishly one against another, yet sit down and share a drink and good conversation as dinner was served with your erstwhile foe.
Today, rare indeed is a friendship...or even acquaintanceship...that crosses ideological lines, even after the close of the work day. Not only do people on opposite sides not understand each other...they don't want to understand each other. At least that is how most of them act, even when saying words to the contrary.
Given that unfortunate state of political art, it nonetheless is confounding to me how people in the same general segment of political ideology can be as negative with each other when vying for a nomination as they are with those diametrically opposed to their point of view. When viewed as the bigger picture, their differences are extremely minor and, while demonstrably important, don't seem to rise to the level that calls for a "take no prisoners" conflict. Yet that is what happens in both major political parties...at least as I view it.
I remember Ronald Reagan's admonition to not speak ill of any fellow Republican. I always like both the sound and the content of that statement. Even as we now embark on the very beginning of a campaign that will result in a new President of these United States of America, we see this strange sense of cannibalism becoming more apparent. There used to be an art to a candidate explaining the plus' of their positions that did not require an attack on anyone else; "I am better than 'xxxxx' because I would 'xxxx.' " caused a listener or reader to think about how that person's election would effect the body he was trying to join...and how it would serve our own community. Those who simply explained why one shouldn't like someone else never used to be a reason to presume that the person deriding another would be a good office holder. So...why does that seem to work now? I doesn't with me, but there has got to a serious expectation of its efficacy since almost everyone seems to do it.
And the serious downside of such negative campaigning is that regardless of who wins, that survivor finds that the infighting has handed the real opponents much ammunition to use in the general election. So...where is the advantage? I just don't see it. Short term, maybe there is a boost...but in the age of video tape and recording the long term result is usually disastrous.
Are politicians and political really so stupid as to continue this absurd practice? I guess we will see in just a bit...
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