Well whattayaknow.
The 4th is still on.
Remember, in this divisive times,
we are family.
Before you read the rest of this be warned: my mind has a tendency to get lost in thought. Also I try to use my "big-boy" words even when what I feel like saying is definitely more "Navy" in character.
The political pundits are punting full time now so there will be division in all of the country. I have to say that I haven't seen a democrat in the news that I felt I could support since Lindy Boggs, nor a republican that I could trust either.
These are mistakes that continually recur so let me call them to your attention. Politicians continually demean and devalue the role the military plays in this countries existence. Yes, it is vital and if you look at our history, the Navy/Marine Corp has suffered since the Revolution as has the Army. At the end of every period of conflict, a time of devaluing and abandonment by those elected to congress. And Congress failed to grasp the need for a worldwide presence ( only one fully operational warship) which lead to the war of 1812 and the Navy suffered because it had inadequate vessels and insufficient personnel. The war with Mexico revealed again that same mindset as did the (not very) Civil War. Again and again: Spanish war, WW1, WW2, Korean, Viet Nam always the same. National security cost" too much", so the funding gets cut and the nation pays in blood for the shortsightedness of our "leaders". This has yet to improve over the last 3 mid-east and afghan wars that continue.
I know there are people in this country who can see past their noses, most of whom do not desire to get involved at the trough of WDC. Therein lies our greatest issues. People who seek power very seldom seek it for the benefit of all. Usually their own agenda is their primary concern. This is why we have so many lingering issues in the country. Division of the masses leads to easier control of the segments and that is the objective of so many of the politicians we have for consideration in the upcoming elections. I foresee anarchy and then I see the fragmentation of America into a collection of 4th world countries and I do see the very strong possibility of it happening before I reach 90.
Some people think I have something against lawyers because I don't want to see any of them get elected to congress. For the most part that is the way I feel. But that doesn't mean I feel ALL lawyers are evil bags of bovine byproduct. I know several, true that most are kin, are upstanding citizens and really good people. But there are quite a few that make me feel like I need to take a shower with Dawn dishsoap if I so much as see them on tv. I think lawyer ads should go the same way of cigarette commercials. (most of the time)
What I feel is the need for those who represent us to actually have an idea of the average person's life. The life of the physical laborer is nothing like the life of an office worker because there is a distinction of mindset that comes into play. The things that are valued are sometimes shared but there are differences of valuing as well. Working out in the weather is something I can relate to, as many years of Naval service and a couple of years carrying mail taught me. The life of a farmer is not the life of the corporate CEO. Of the two I value the farmer more simply because he is providing food (in many cases) and when anarchy comes food is a very good thing. Someone who works inside all the time and whose work is a paper/communication kind of thing cannot really understand what life is like for someone who chops cotton or detassles corn (neither of which I see any more.)
One reason I have never sought office is my mind wanders down many trails of thought often getting lost in that netherworld of randomness called daydreaming. Also my tolerance for stupid would not let me be in the same room with many of our current "leadership" in the house and senate and the white house. Seems to me the tail is wagging the dog most of the time nowadays. All the media is interested in presenting is a bunch of childish bullies yelling at each other or occasionally maybe a worldwide disaster. (That is, if they can blame someone for it.)
As far as term limits go, yeah, I am for limiting everyone elected to two terms, even the few competent one. We do not need empire builders. We do not need to limit ourselves to two parties. What we need now is to flush the washington toilet out and clean it thoroughly. Then we send some teachers, nurses, ups drivers, small business people, and other people who normally work for a living to represent us. Those who represent us should go back to receiving a per diem pay and no salary. As far as health care goes, buy your own, bring your own, or apply for medicaid (only valid while in office). Each position (senator/representative) should have one permanently assigned secretary and all "lobbyist" should be banned from the city limits. Far to many people have become filthy rich preying on the government and the people bleeding us dry when they should have been trying to balance the budget.
As for the current state of the country I blame Trump, Obama,Clinton and Bush2 for the majority of our issues. Oh yeah, and also the House and Senate for the last few decades as well. The constitution I affirmed to defend includes enemies within as well as outside of the country and I am on the verge of calling for a confrontation of all defenders to read and heed that document and hold these (apologies to the avian community) vultures accountable.
As of the moment I see no one for whom I want to vote for, but Trump does seem the more likely to make progress away from socialism. For those who wish to have that type of government I recommend you consider moving to Australia/New Zealand, Canada, England in that order. Otherwise pick anywhere else that doesn't have a totalitarian dictator and good luck to ya.
