Politics as Usual

I will preface this diatribe with this statement:  I have an opinion about everything and, sadly, I am not always right. 

Rick watches the news several times a day.  Often, I end up watching, too.  The news can be very entertaining.  Think of a football game with spectators screaming and jumping up and down.  No pom poms, however.  Well, Folks, when pundits come on, I usually end up shouting at the television.  “Be quiet and let the other guy speak!!!”  “Stop interrupting!” “You’ve got to be kidding!!”  “If I see that guy’s face one more time, I’m going to screeeeam!!” Or, worse, I’ve been known to call certain politicians (even a few from my own illustrious, nearly bankrupt state) names.  “Dim-wit!!  Read the bill before you vote!!”

I’m sorry if I’ve shattered all your illusions about Christian fiction writers.  I try to be nice all the time.  I fail.  Miserably. 

What was it Jesus said about calling a fellow human being an idiot?  I’m doomed! I confess there are times when I am judge and jury and completely ashamed of myself.  I should follow the advice of a friend who reads the newspaper and watches the news in order to know who needs the most prayer – and then prays! 

Me, I’m like the Israelites.  Grumble, grumble.  Not at God, but at politicians.  Suffice it to say I was a Democrat and now I am a Republican, and I thought about being an Independent but they weren’t independent enough, and now I am planning to go down to the nearest fire station and change my party affiliation to “decline to state”!!  And the next time I get a “survey” with a plea for more money, I’m going to tape it to a brick and put “Return to Sender” on it!

Whew.  Glad I got that off my chest.

I had to look a few things up in the dictionary because I’m not sure what anything means anymore.  Politic:  to be shrewd or prudent in practical matters.  Wow.  I haven’t seen that lately.  Shrewd, yes.  Prudent, practical; nope.  A politician is a person who is active in politics as a career.  Lots of those -- making great salaries and lifetime pensions and benefits after one term in office.  I listened to a politician giving a speech on the news this morning and wondered where all the other Congressmen were.  There were lots of empty seats behind him.  Of course, that could mean they didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Or were they out at Starbucks? Politics:  the science or art of political government.  Science?  Art?  Oh, pleeeeease!  I need an Alka-Seltzer!

I don’t know about you, but I am so tired of hearing shots fired from the left and the right.  Neither side seems capable of sitting down at a table and working things out.  It’s far easier to name call, point fingers, cry unfair, and play games. 

Hey!  That’s what kids do in preschool, isn’t it?  Right before they are sent home for misbehaving.

Now there’s an idea.  Bwa-ha-ha-ha. 

Some plain ordinary citizen wrote some words of wisdom to the editor the other day:  The American eagle needs both a left and a right wing to fly!