A few years ago the eminent political philosopher Pat Paulsen said, "I'm not right wing or left wing. I'm more middle of the bird. If you have only one wing you tend to fly in concentric circles."
As much as folks laughed at Paulsen's statement, I think he was closer to the truth than many would think. For the past few years the government has seemed to flip from one wing to the other, and the country is dizzy from flying around in concentric circles. Signs of this dizziness are abundant. Congress is divided into two hostile camps and they all seem to be more interested in promoting their side's agenda than in what is best for the country. The rhetoric from the politicians and their mouthpieces in the media is getting more divisive and hateful, filtering down to ordinary folks. If you can handle it, scroll through social media and see the garbage that passes for discourse these days. There are some who believe the system is about to implode. They may be right.
Hopefully, we will see some leaders arise who are willing to come to the table with those who disagree with them, who are willing to look for common ground and spend more time doing the hard work of governing than standing in front of the cameras vilifying the other side. Hopefully enough folks will realize that a lot of emperors are strutting about without a stitch of clothing. I believe that the country can not go much longer down the path we are traveling. Hopefully we will wake up and start flying with both wings.
1 comment:
"If you have only one wing you tend to fly in concentric circles."
Great observation Fred.
IMO, a lot of the partisanship started with the rise of the Tea Party after Obama was elected. And these days the Tea Partiers (i.e. Paul Ryan) are considered to be part of the establishment that extreme right wingers are fighting against.
I hope with you that common ground can be found but hard to see it when much of the dissension is in the GOP.
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