It’s US America

In another week, we here in the US will have an opportunity to  shape the role of both local and federal government when we go to the polls.  That is, assuming you go.  I hope you do because the only way change can be affected is if we do it ourselves. Every time there is an election, after all of our pissing and moaning about the status quo, miraculously, our congressmen are re-elected.  It turns out that the only bad ones must be in other states and districts.  Funny how that works.

Complacency is toxic.  Look around you at where we are today.  I mean really look.  Don’t just pay it lip service.  In this generation of me first, we have sacrificed our freedoms in favor of self gratification.  What’s wrong with that you ask?  Nothing, if it is balanced by what is also good for the country.  There is no free lunch.  It is so easy to say it is because of this Senator or that Representative or this party or that party, when in reality, it is because of us.  Yep.  We are the one’s that are responsible, like it or not.  When the election is all over, the ensuing years will have already been shaped.  We don’t have to wait for the electorate to do (or not do) whatever they decide.  We have in fact already punched their ticket.  So, before you go, I would like to leave you with a little story.  It goes like this:

An influential Senator is tragically hit by a car and dies.  When his soul arrives in heaven, he is met by St. Peter.  Upon checking his book of angels, he frowns and says “there seems to be a problem.  We don’t get many politicians, so we are going to have to qualify you for entry.  We are going to have you spend a day in hell and a day in heaven, after which you will be asked to decide where you want to spend eternity.”

The Senator begins to protest, stating that he already knows he wants to be here.  But St Peter is firm, advising him that he has rules he has to follow.  With that, he escorts the man to an elevator which takes him down.

Upon exiting, he finds himself on a golf course.  In the distance he sees the clubhouse and a group of friends and politicians that had gone on before him.  They greet him and together they reminisce about the good old days they spent getting wealthy.  They play a round of golf, and then dine on a sumptuous meal of lobster and champagne.  The devil is also present and turns out to be a rather likeable guy, laughing and telling jokes.  However, too soon the 24 hours are up and he is escorted back to the up elevator.

When the door opens, he is again met by St Peter who is waiting for him and says “Now it is time to visit heaven”.  So for the next 24 hours, the man spends his time socializing with a group of contented souls, moving from cloud to cloud, listening to harp music and singing.  When his time is up, St Peter asks him for his decision.  The politician says “well, I never thought I would say this, but I think I would be better off in hell.

St Peter escorts him to the elevator and again he descends into hell.  When the doors open, he is met by a barren wasteland covered with waste and garbage.  He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.  “I don’t understand” stammers the Senator.  “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course, and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and drank champagne.  What happened”.

The devil puts his arm around his shoulders, smiles at him, and says “Yesterday we were campaigning.  Today you voted”.

Something to think about before you pull the handle.

REMEMBER

IT’S US AMERICA

p.s.  It is only coincidental that my word count came out to 666