(Partially written in Nov, partially written today 5-24)
So, I'm currently reading Gone With the Wind, and there is a fact in there that I believe most of the United States has forgotten, if they ever knew it to begin with... I know my knowledge of it was very limited.
Up until the point of reading this novel, I had heard it rumored that Martin Luther King Jr and many early black leaders, for that matter, were Republicans, never quite understanding why. Now I totally do.
I know this is a fictitious book, and I'm not making a decision solely on it's content... but I saw some an interesting similarity that can be applied to our day.
Don't get me wrong, Democrats now aren't as cold hearted as they once were, they don't (openly or maybe even consciously) try to enslave people, but are still the same basic party...They are still for the little guy... but let's look back on the history real quick... During the Civil War, the majority of these "little guys" who were Democrats, were ex-plantation and slave owners. People who once made a very healthy living off of the the real little guy's sweat and work. They were now as poor and destitute as the slaves they once kept, and were now looking for anything they could get. Sure, they would help the slaves alright.... the way they had before.
So, it now became obvious to me why these ex slaves were republican.
Flash forward to our time, and the same thing is happening, only on both sides...everyone is for 'the little guy', but I've only seen $250 from this ENORMOUS 700 TRILLION dollar stimulus. and somehow, they have tricked the masses into arguing over which side is better as both sides steal our freedoms a bit more blatantly each time, but we seem to let them, and even help them at times.
Like, right now. Our current administration is currently the largest spending administration.... EVER in America's 200 some-odd years. If I do recall, not long ago many (myself included) were complaining about the spending habits of the Bush administration as being over-extravagant. That was two full terms (8 years), and here we are barely pushing 6 months of the first year of this... and we already have a proposed spending budget rivaling the past 200 years, COMBINED!
If the powers that be don't have us in the position they want... it will only get worse.
Understand me, I think we would be in the same type of trouble no matter who had won the election. My point is, just like the slaves in civil war days, there are some today who are complacent with their lot, they willfully give up what is theirs, and if that is what they want so be it. But there are still others (I like to include myself in this group.) who see things differently. Just like those first republicans, I believe we need to create a new type of party.
KRS-One said something in a documentary I recently watched that has really stuck with me... I'm paraphrasing from memory so excuse me if I'm a bit off...
He said, If you go to a Burger King, and get crummy food, you have to go through a chain of command, kinda like our gov't. First you have a guy at the counter, the cook, then a manager, etc. If you can't get help from all the people you see, you need to speak to the franchise owner, the elusive face behind the guy, behind the manager behind the counter.
I say that is all well and good, and I may label myself in doing so, but how about we save all this hassle over a lousy whopper, and get some real, wholesome food?
Ya dig?
I know, big talk from the guy at home behind his computer, am I right?...
But, I think there are enough of us, that we could do it..
Maybe I just have visions of grandeur for America... but I think it important, especially this Memorial Day, not only do we need to remember those who have served in the armed forces, but also those patriots and freethinkers that came before us.
We get so caught up in the idea of being right, that we forget to keep our guard up.
We need to be "as wise as serpents, yet without sin."
You may be asking yourself, "Why am I reading this, Justin?"
And I'll just say that if you have stuck with me thus far, I hope I do not disappoint, if I do disappoint, drop me a line. I live for criticism.
If you say nothing, I'll keep telling myself I'm wonderful... so you take THAT, to your chagrin or your approval.
Let me digress from my self-righteous rant, we need to keep in mind what we are doing, and our true motives for doing them
Are we doing the things we do because they are right, or are we doing them because we want to be 'right'?
The Tao te Ching teaches that "there is no way to peace.
Peace is the way to peace."
It is the same with 'Change' (or anything). There is no way to 'change', no politician could or would ever offer it. (Too much is at stake for him.)
WE must become the change we seek.
The tree does not look to the elements for it's growth, only for sustenance. The growth comes from within itself.
We need to look at politicians, not as a catalyst that spawns change, and at random intervals.... but as a solid tool that works in our hands.
Then, at least we could get a better tool, and maybe finish the job we started.
(And, don't think that pun was lost on me just 'cause I didn't mention it.) Tool. lol :)
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