Sunday, January 9, 2011

9 January 1957 “Q & A Sunday: How Far Have We Come?”

Today I feel compelled to offer the question to my own Q & A. The recent events with the Arizona Congresswoman has even broken through the time barrier here in 1957. I am, to say the least, stunned.
First off, I want to preface this with saying I don’t think either Democrats or Republican’s have our best interest at heart. I think the time when politicians may have tried to stand for the rights of all has passed. As many who don’t like to accept it, the truth is the Big Government AND Big Business are one in the same. Both sides claim a separation, when in reality they are simply two sides of the same coin. It seems to matter little what way it is flipped.
Since the 1950’s the growing power of the Company (the large company) over the good of the small business, small farmer, and small town has increased. In fact, much of what happened in our country after WWII is the complete opposite of what happened in Europe. While they were concerned with the welfare of all and yes, even Socialism in the sense of healthcare and education was important to them. The real kicker is that our country was over there helping them to set up these governments, while in our own, we focused on aiding big business. That is why the ‘glory days of the 50’s’ could only last as long as it did. The first swing into it still saw Mom and Pop stores able to exist. Today, farming, business, food, clothing, even oil and banking happens outside our country.
I am not sure what side of the current Healthcare program I am on. To be honest, I try to stay as much in 1950’s as possible, so pay little attention. I do know that many seem to think Healthcare for all is Socialism, yet Medicaid and Social Security healthcare for the poor is NOT socialism. This, of course, is simply those who have it don’t want to call it that and don’t want to share it with others. I don’t want this to be about Healthcare.
I think what really has hit me today is how dis-enchanted I am becoming with my own country. It almost matters little to me what the arguments are even about, this person’s lifestyle is wrong, this person can or cannot do this with their body, this person can or cannot have affordable healthcare, or even, this town or city cannot have jobs or production. I have got to the point where it is all so frustrating to me that when I conjure up the image of the modern heartless American screaming their values and saying “IF you don’t like it get out” I almost want to take their advice.
But, and here is the rub, to where would I go? I would, if I could, go to Europe. Then I hear of all the marches and troubles in England over the prices of education (however you do see how they are upset enough to voice their opinion while we happily allow our college students to go away, sign up for thousands in school loan debt and then get thousands more in credit cards.)
I guess I just feel used. I feel like the machine which really began with the Industrial Revolution, but honestly really gained speed here in our country after WWII has just used us all like so much fodder.
And, people’s behavior today, people in positions of power, is appalling to me. Even in the underdealings of politicians in the 1950’s there was still a level many would not cross. When I saw this was an image on Sarah Palin’s website before the shooting I was so angry. palinmap Using gun sights, especially three pointed at Arizona, is so irresponsible in so many ways. Again, I am not laying blame on one side, but rather am disparaging our entire system. I am getting to the point where I am not sure if there is even solutions anymore. When so much corruptions controls everything, what can one do?
I see now how much of the government is merely the talking heads of really about five corporations that rule most of the world. The oil, banking, production and so on. Is there any hope?
And, I also am beginning to wonder if such a thing as Capitalism can honestly go hand in had with religion. I see so many politicians who want to claim religion as exclusively theirs and yet, I can’t help think how contrary to the basic tenants of Christianity Capitalism actually is. (excuse my prepositions at the end of sentences, I am just so frustrated). It seems to me in every way the basic Christian rules cannot exist WITH Capitalism.
"Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
-Matthew 19:21
"He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses."
-Proverbs 28:27
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
-(Acts 8:20)
To me it seems, were Jesus alive today, he would hardly side with FOX news or the Democrats. He would wonder why we begrudge aid for all and why we covet so much. Or why look the other way at the young children sweating away in India and China so that we might have cheap things. Why we choose to make life easier at the peril of the very Earth itself. The whole world is topsy turvy and it is little wonder I find it easy to reside in 1957. I only wish I could bring all those who are sick of the hypocrisy all round with me.
I only hope that any of we homemakers and lovers of the past can take a moment to consider our world. To think of how we got here and who truly is in charge of our government before we turn to hate, name calling or anger. There is so much strife and frustration in the world, yet if we only all realized we, the masses, wanted the same thing, equality, love, and aid from and for one another, maybe we could just by pass all the ridiculousness of the government and make a new world where we already are. I don’t know. What do any of you think? Have any of you ideas or opinions about our current country and our place in the world?
My heart goes out to the families of all those hurt in the shooting.
I will close with this last quote which I find very fitting to the day:
"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'"
-Matthew 19:23-24
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