I am upset of Muff, because he said Ga! This old childhood refrain my husband's family still uses on occasion was a young boy's expression of undetermined meaning...and today it resonates deeply for me.
Congress, the President, the pundits and political contributors - mere Muff. And Ga, the stuff that indecision, poor conclusion and ineffective leadership are made of. Everyday our elected officials grow closer to a decision on how to resolve an impasse over the debt limit, we simultaneously watch agreements blow up. Why? Because he said Ga.
Because he said that we must stand on our principles. Because she said we cannot cut Medicare. Because he said we can't increase revenue. Because she said we cannot ask the poor to sacrifice for the rich. All the while states struggle. Teachers are laid off. Pensions are sacrificed. Our infrastructure decays. Our health status spirals downward. Unemployment and CEO wages increase. Childhood hunger grows.
It seems everyone is in denial. We continue to believe our principles will save the day. Ga! It is no longer enough to believe we can regulate the economy into reducing the unemployment rate. It is simply not feasible for the wealthiest of us all to hire 9% of the U.S. with their George Bush tax cuts. It is unfathomable to believe that Medicare and Social Security are perfect just the way they are.
What, if not who, will lead the way to something sustainable? Something that is viable. Something that will serve my grandchildren's grandchildren. We must first start from a place other than self, party, and please forgive me...god and country. No more rhetoric. It is time for us to articulate what we already know. We are actually all connected to each other and every word and deed I take has an impact, positive or negative on you. As my t-shirt says...humankind, be both.
The Country seems to be growing inpatient doesn't it? I would like leaders who are willing to make the hard choices and call a spade a spade. And, in doing so will use language that persuades vs. provokes, inspires vs. inflames, empowers vs. embarrasses. I for one am done with the results of our popularity contests - these folks can make some really bad choices for being such well-educated adults.
Consider the impact of courage...commitment...compassion....confidence....connection and community could have on our current situation. Is anyone up to taking on Muff and his/her Ga?
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1 comment:
Well said indeed! The level of ignorance and denial about the trajectory of our country virtually guarantees that things will continue to deteriorate. What's needed is a quiet revolution, where one by one enough of us stand up, step up and offer up our best in service to all, where we each do what we can do, and hold our representatives to account when they allow other interests to take precedence over our nation's health and wellbeing.
I love and will share your tshirt saying, "Humankind, be both."
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