Strange Bedfellows
It's almost a law of nature that over time people come to mistrust those that lead them. Small wonder. Too often throughout history leaders have proven in the long run to be untrustworthy or worse. Even those who start out with ideals and a vision for humanity end up serving only themselves and the small cadre of individuals who keep them in power. The great advantage of democracy is the ability to vote the bums out. Kings and dictators hang on until they're done in by their enemies or thrown out in violent revolutions. We have a quiet turnover, but care must be taken. Elections have become strident advertising campaigns, long on hype and short on substance. The candidate who speaks to the electorate in complex truths is at a huge disadvantage in the face of those who utter short, snappy lies. The higher-priced cereal in the colorful package with a catchy slogan outsells the cheaper generic brand. We have to start reading the labels more carefully.
posted by John M Crowther @ 7:16 AM
7 Comments:
The current administration has been peddling multi-coloured fruit loops for years... and it looks as if even the birds have had enough! *wink*
I believe that to keep our democracy, we need to have a third party in the running as well. For years, the Democrats and Republicans were poles apart and could help strike a somewhat loopy balance for the governing of the country. Now it seems as if both parties are full of storm and fury that signify nothing. It is hard to tell them apart. It is my firm belief that the truism 'power corrupts' is a fact in any country by the very nature of the beast. It is easy to sit back and take pot shots at the present government but coming up with a solution to the problems facing the world today is another story. A third party would at least give a choice to the "none of the above" question. It, also, might help if the media published the facts and only the facts without commentary or bias. But that seems to belong in the never- never land of Peter Pan, along with honest politicians as well.
Lee Lee Lee... I wasn't taking pot shots (honest) it was the bird that did that! LOL
I agree the solutions are difficult (no matter which side of the ocean we are on!) The problems seem to be universal :-)
Jean, actually I was referring to our beloved politicians on both side of the fence in the remark about "pot shots". It is all about getting the vote with the public unfortunately buying into it, thanks to the media and ads on the internet. I want us out of Iraq but I don't know how it can be managed. I do not want another Vietnam situation even though in the 70s, I was a protester. Never want our young soldiers to face that kind of attitude again. I look back with shame on my part. Those young soldiers were victims to our dogma.
So , please, do not take any remark of mine as personal (unlike Rosie and Eliz.), says she laughing. Actually, I feel sorry for Rosie who, I think, truly wants to be loved by the world but she evidently feels the need to spout off with very little in the way of facts to support her. Sadly, it happens to people when they gain fame.
Lee... I'm afraid I don't know Rosie (or Eliz)so I'm out of the loop there and don't understand... sorry! :-)
Do you think there would be public backlash against the troops if they were withdrawn right away? I can't help but wonder if the saving of one life would be far preferable to the saving of face. Have I got the wrong slant on this? (Remember I'm not on the ground over there so probably can't comment... but I am keen to understand) :-)
I don't think there would be a backlash against the troops, Jean, they've been placed in a tragic, untenable situation and everyone knows it. The reality is that the debate must be framed in more realistic terms, but that won't happen as long as the administration, with the complicity of the media, keeps misleading the public by calling what is in fact an illegal occupation a "war against terror."
Thanks for the clarification John... I couldn't agree more.
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