POLITICS 2019-20

Politics in 2019-20 has the potential of being interesting but only in one way. As compared to all that was part of the Nixon impeachment, we might see another impeachment played out but this time with constant coverage, commentary and criticism. All the while, candidates will be vying their party's nominee for president along with those campaigning for other seats. This could give new meaning to "we've got a lot of news to cover" or a good reason to marathon even more shows especially all the seasons of "Gunsmoke." But there's that making history thing. Having lived through a lot of amazing history already, like the muscle cars of the 60's & 70's, I can really appreciate what being there means. 

My memory goes back as far as my Grandpa Copley working his farm with horses, Dick and Don. I think starting with those images gave me a perspective of time, change and experience. An older couple once asked me, "How old are you anyway?" However, it wasn't that long before President Kennedy was assassinated. Then we had put a man on the moon amidst the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and all the problems those damn hippies caused. At the time, I thought I was just living. But with the Nixon impeachment, the fall of Communism (if indeed it really did) and all that has unfolded in the Middle East there has been some significant history in both the political and social realms. Interestingly, these provided fodder for all the changes that the computer could and did make. For me, the play of circumstances, forces, opportunities and coincidence was rather remarkable and likely meant something other than the fact that mankind is good at making, doing and destroying. 

As curious as I am about actions, results and ramifications, I am tempted to go off the grid and hope that somehow more will agree on a peaceful resolution than a hateful conflict. But the head-in-the-sand techniques rarely work. And if the deep divide we are currently experiencing turns into some eclectic form of civil war, one might want to know why and how things had gone that far. But if we hold to at least some semblance of democracy by assuring elections and their outcomes, the state of the union might remain as stable as it can get. This I think makes good sense to many people but over the last couple years I've begun to wonder how many really know what is at stake and how easily it could be lost. It's certainly not most of the politicians. One in particular stands out, head above others, a super human demi-god worthy of blind allegiance. But he is only a new symptom of a chronic disease. 

Without possibly knowing the outcome of the next two years, I predict that the idea of not lying will never become popular, that one issue voters won't find another issue, that the Supreme Court will rule according to some interpretation of the constitution regardless of how unrelated which may or may not align with a political party, that the wall between church and state will be even more damaged, that spending will not be cut, that taxes will be raised,  and that despite the of all that needs pragmatic resolution or reform, congress will be too busy keeping the swamp at the right temperature. But to be fair, it has become impossible to make people happy in the way they want (or demand) to be happy. Compromise is a sin or at least a sign of weakness. It seems that there's plenty of self-interest or self-gain but hardly any self-sacrifice for the greater good.  Yes, the greater good. That does seem to be the sticky wicket.  

I, admittedly, recoil at groupthink. I am even more abhorred by the many following the one who claims to have all the answers. Likewise the Plu and Ply approach (people like us v. people like you) approach is as insulting as it is comical. Some want a nation that looks like them or where them is at least in the majority rule. Some want a "Christian" nation or maybe just a return to a time that never was. Some want a place for everyone even if they didn't deserve or earn it. I want a nation based on intelligence, common sense and practicality. But that's not even a remote possibility. Regardless of what we want, we are all in what is; which moves as soon as you figure out something to do. The word muddle comes to mind but maybe it's more like a muddle with some direction. And all we can do is try to move in the same path and reject any tangents or reversals.

The politics of 2019-2020 maybe crucial in that we become something we never were meant to be or it's a bump in the road that jounces us out of us out of accepting extremism on the same level as reason. And making us readily aware that one kind of absolutism leaves no room for all the other kinds of absolutism. But maybe even more importantly, be the first to reach across the divide knowing that sometimes all you can do is take their hand, smile and pull them into the sacred abyss.