I once morphed a picture of an elephant and a donkey on my computer and the results were pretty much what I had expected - a picture of a huge ass! Somewhat indicative of today's politician - if you were to ask me.
And as for the color of this monstrosity? Once again it captured the true essence of most political positions on some of the hottest issues today - gray with a touch of translucent vagueness.
But who am I to critique and question people who have dedicated their entire lives to politics? People who have spent years building their political foundation on a collection of papers and degrees from some of the most prestigious universities around the globe?
I personally hold no such credentials myself. In fact, my education in politics is limited to the humorous banter of comedians and the redundant news reels scrolling across the network channels. Add to that the endless pages of "political wannabes" found on blog sites all over the internet (such as this) and what you have is political chaos. My political chaos.
So here I am struggling to make sense of what has gone wrong with our nation. How can we justify (right or wrong) the need to be at war with any country? How was it that our economy changed so quickly that it has turned our near future into an unforgettable past? Why is it that we are so willing to sacrifice our ethics in business for a price not worthy of its true value? All of this and more while asking myself: "Do I align more with the Republicans or the Democrats?".
Mark Twain once wrote: "In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination."
Is that what we are? A people of second-hand beliefs? Do we look to our parties and ask, "Where do I stand on this issue?", then accept whatever reason they toss down; manipulating it so that it fits perfectly into our own way of thinking? Or are we truly a "free-thinking" nation? One that questions everything and everything is always in question.
I want to believe that the majority of our voting population is not only aware of our nation's problems, but they are also educated (to some degree) on the details surrounding those issues. Their convictions are self-imposed and their beliefs are not tainted by their party's agenda. I may be foolish to believe this, but if I am wrong, that makes us all foolish, now doesn't it?
So who am I? What do I believe in? Is it possible that I find truth and value on both sides of the aisle? Have we out lived our two-party system altogether?
As our great nation changes, our way of thinking must change with it. We must adapt to our new environment in the same fashion that business adapts to the changes in technology. To think that yesterday's paper-version of the "email" is still adequate to support today's demand for information is not only impolitic, it is a great way to destroy your business. The competition would eat you alive because you refused to adopt the simple idea that making a change could sometimes be a good thing.
Being foolish and ignorant is not something we Americans want to be labeled as in the eyes of the world. We strive to be innovative in so many ways but when it comes to the very foundation of who we are, we are still sending hand written notes to determine how business will be conducted. I just don't get it.
Wake up America! Pull the plug. Stopping being manipulated like sheep. Decide for yourselves what is right and wrong and act accordingly. Your parties need you more than you need them. Your voice will demand change and over time your party will eventually make those adjustments in order to please you. Trust me - if you were to say the new Green is Yellow, your party will back you 100% if they believe it will keep you loyal.
“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” - George Washington.