Voting to fix our beat up American car; must it break before it can be fixed?
Let’s say Obama and
the Democrats are our car’s engine. It has
run for years on a prayer and a promise.
We see the smoke and hear the
clatter. It has a gazillion problems. It needs a major overhaul as the engine
knocks, sputters, and barely starts. The
valves and pistons are shot. The car
guzzles gas and burns oil like crazy. Obama
promises that our car is OK and to make the necessary repairs. He never quite gets it fixed. He can’t.
The jalopy is out of control as it careens down our treacherous,
windy road. He can’t stop it AND fix it
at the same time. Meanwhile, “We the People
Passengers” lives are in danger.
Let’s say Romney and the Republicans are the transmission of
our car. It too is only running on a
prayer and a promise. It needs a major overhaul. The gears slip and grind. The transmission fluid is dark and thick as
mud. The majority of the time it simply spins and
moans and goes nowhere. Romney also
promises that the car is OK. He promises
to make the necessary repairs, yet he can’t fix it either for the same reasons
that Obama can’t fix it.
We could really get into the debate about who really owns our
car and who pays for its maintenance and chauffeurs. For now suffice it to say that our car runs on a
prayer and a dream, and God only knows how it still holds together.
Historically, “We the People Passengers” have acquiesced to
a system of a simple vote; fix the
engine or fix the transmission. Both
parties spend millions trying to convince us which way to go. Never mind that the 1% who runs our car has for
themselves dozens of brand new cars and homes to put them in. Never mind that they have made their money
off of our money and our hard work. Never
mind that the real problem is that most voters are so busy keeping their own cars
going that they don’t know where “We the People’s” car is headed.
The 1%’s politicians keep telling us that it is the American
way to vote to fix our car. By God it is
patriotic! Look how this car got its
start! Look at how many people have died
in wars just to keep it running! Sure it has some problems and some work to be
done, but it can be the best darn car in the world again! Just wait and see!
I have had friends and family tell me that I have to
vote. “If you don’t vote the other side
will win”. “Yes I know that you are voting for the lesser of
two evils – you still have to vote!” “If
you vote for Jill Stein the Republicans will win, just like when Nader ran!”
Well, I don’t think I am going to vote. I would rather go to a demonstration. At least there I can carry a sign, sing, and express
myself. Maybe I will get arrested as proof
that I took a stand for something I really believe in.
Otherwise, I say let's get out of car American in order to
avoid being in a major accident with multiple fatalities!
Let the damn thing break down.
Maybe then “We the People" can fix it and save the lives of our kids and grand kids.
Why do we tolerate a system that only offers us the choice of picking between the "lesser of two evils"? Why do we tolerate a system that only offers us the illusion of choice when in fact there is none?
In a true democracy no one would ever be put in that position. Yet beyond all of the rhetoric in America today, that is exactly what we are left with.
“We the People” are shamefully being brought to our knees. We see the lies behind of our corporate run democracy. We see the lies behind 911. We see the lies behind the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. We see the lies behind the perpetual wars on drugs and immigration. We see the lies behind the Wall Street banksters and the Great Recession of 2008. We see the lies behind the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. We see the lies behind NDAA. We see the lies behind drone murders. We see the lies behind our failed health care, education, and poverty.
Need I go on?
God please give “We the People” the courage to take a stand.