Too Many Good People Are Getting Hurt

Current popular lore has it that Democrats, Leftists and liberals are nurturing and caring, always looking to curb human excesses, exploitation, and the oppression (by industry) of their adoring masses. On the other hand, Republicans and conservatives are seen as predatory, smart, solitary, and dangerously self-reliant. In truth, it’s not quite as simple as all that. Within each category there exist both leaders and followers. The leaders on either side have actually more in common than what both have in common with each of their assumed disparate flock. Simply put, it all boils down to leaders and followers, ideology representing the pigskin for each team to advance for the pleasure of the delirious, cheering crowd in the stands.

All this would be very nice if after the game we could just go home, put our feet up in front of the telly while downing a couple of brews. The problem arises when the deadly serious, highly motivated men on the field demand their share of the take way beyond the fair value of the ticket price - win or lose - from the good folk who consent to watching the game.

The inflated egos of the players demands that their followers tow the party line and wear the team colors both on and off the field. They see to it that anyone refusing to go along be stripped of their innate right to belong.

Thus ideology is assigned - Democrat or Republican - while the game rages on in Washington. Independents are courted ceaselessly by both sides. It is beyond either side to imagine that someone would actually opt to choose ‘neither of the above’. Yet, as it becomes increasingly obvious that the game is fixed, ‘neither of the above’ increasingly becomes the appropriate choice.

It has become virtually impossible to ignore the game. Our last election made it obvious that elections set the tone. While it remains a matter of dispute just what the song should sound like, most of us have come to regret our choice. Naturally, we will choose a different tune the next time around - but we will do so with reservations. After all, we’d already tried the other one that, in the fog of time, now seems to have been better than what we have now; but which nevertheless fails to fully explain how we’ve managed to get here so fast. Clearly, Republicans are licking their chops in anticipation of a major blowout favoring them.

This in itself is worrying. Who among us expects Republicans to do much to turn things around? Who among us does not suspect that it’s all just a set-up for Obama’s second term?

Liberal leaders are just as crafty and resourceful as their conservative counterparts. They could match wits with each other any time of day. Do not put it beyond them to collude with each other behind the scenes trying to pull off a ‘good cop/bad cop’ routine.

Right now we’ve just finished witnessing a classic case of crony capitalism. The government indicts a major investment firm to much fanfare while promising them untold billions (just out of earshot). The investment house takes it lying down. Meanwhile, the government passes finreg, largely on the strength of said indictment. The very next day the case is resolved with a ceremonial slap on the wrist. Could anything be more obvious?

It’s not ideology; it’s become outright theft. And we’re the one’s left holding the bag. I wish I could laugh, but too many good people are getting hurt.