i am not one to be politically involved. once upon a time i was, but this was before i got a really good, deep look at the true nature of the system and how any nourishment of it in any way only sustains it.
there are many who will (and have) condemned me for my current ‘hands off, no thought, no involvement’ choice, and i am comfortable with this as well as my choices.
this said, i stumbled on a transcript of the recent press conference and for the first time in a very long while, wish to say something. so, here, i will do so.
there are two quotes in particular that really annoyed me. it is not a new annoyance, the consistency with which our government ignores the obvious and is forever marveling over things that are not only well known, but actively used as chips in the political game is just… mind-boggling.
to me, it is a thing that smacks of disingenuousness and manipulative intent. and, on occasion, it is blatant enough that i cannot resist pointing it out.
so here… the two quotes and my comments toward outlining my annoyance and in support of my current position of utter non-involvement.
“The message yesterday was clear: The American people want their leaders in Washington to set aside partisan differences, conduct ourselves in an ethical manner and work together to address the challenges facing our nation…” (sic)
first of all, how anyone in an elected position can utter these words and still sound surprised is a testament to the sorry state of ‘leadership’ in this country.
this is not something new. it is not even something unique.
OF COURSE people want their leaders to be non-partisan, ethical, and team-oriented.
how anyone can utter these words as if it is some new realization just reeks of deception and a profound lack of respect for the intellect and interests of the people being governed.
i have an image of an adult patting a child on the head and telling them whatever they wish to hear so they’ll ‘just shut up and go play’ so that ‘the adults’ can get back to ‘their own interests’.
it is insulting, really, the manner in which things proceed.
this country, its people, have permitted this government to distract, mislead, misdirect, and manipulate everything from the people to the issues.
we have been so lax so long that i honestly do not think it possible to return to any semblence of that non-partisan, ethical, and team-oriented leadership.
in short, i have completely lost faith in our government’s ability to manage itself honestly, let along act in good faith on behalf of those it is supposed to represent.
i have also lost faith in the willingness and ability of the people of this country to do more than complain. and yes, i include myself in that number, but only insofar as i admit the sheer hopelessness of myself, one person, being able to in any manner effect any of it.
i can no longer believe this country has the ability to correct the willful waywardness of our government, and thus, i refrain utterly from any aspect of it in the sincere hope that the system will founder on its own avarice, power lust, and immorality and eventually fail, forcing change of deeper and lasting nature.
and yes, that is a very sad thing indeed, for many reasons, and i see and accept them all.
here, the next quote…
“There were different factors that determined the outcome of different races, but no question, Iraq was on people’s minds,” Bush said. “And, as you have just learned, I am making a change at the secretary of defense to bring a fresh perspective as to how to achieve something I think most Americans want, which is a victory.” (sic)
um, no, most americans do not want a victory. most americans want us to stop spending money overseas and instead, take care of our own.
most americans want us to stop fighting unjust wars motivated by greed and political posturing.
most americans want government to stop forcing those who do volunteer to serve its ends into infinite extensions of duty.
most americans want government to take more care and be less eager to commit those volunteers to a death they often levy their influence and funds to avoid for themselves and their families.
most americans want to feel they can be proud of their government for holding to a higher standard and refusing to allow that standard to fall into the mud.
most americans want to believe they are actually listened to, and their representatives keep their interests in mind.
most americans want to know that their lives, in the conceptually individual sense, are the focal point from which all action in their name is justified.
most americans are not represented by the latest push-poll that tells government only what they wish to hear.
most americans are not represented by corporations and special interest groups whose concerns lay only with how well they can lobby their (usually highly specialized and often elitist) causes.
most americans are not represented by the pitiful propaganda laddled over them as if they are too stupid to figure out that it is what it is.
most americans are not represented by this government and have not been in so long that most americans no longer have a concept of what that manner of lawful, ethical, bi-partisan, team-oriented leadership even LOOKS like, let alone how it feels.
argh. it is so pointless to even write these words. they do not hear. they do not listen. they certainly do not hold any of this more important than their next election, or that juicy endorsement, or where they rank in the polls, or whether or not they have the right combination of sensationalism, rumor, propaganda, and exposure to land that mudball on the other guy.
americans have become apathetic. as this is the case, may it run its course to fullness, since i sincerely believe that is the only way it will ever be of benefit.
i return to my own self-imposed apathy as i do not think, feel, or believe there is anything fruitful that may be done as things now stand.