SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW

(An Independent's point of view)

written by:

9-18-08

Wouldn’t it be nice to go back to an easier time, when Ike was the nickname of the man who won the presidency and not a devastating hurricane, and Ike's opponent, Adlai Stevenson was an established highly respected intellectual that believed in the process, and in ethics. It was a time when both men genuinely respected one another, but simply took different approaches on securing a strong democracy. A time that began to see that a day was approaching that would mean equal rights, for all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin or the accent in their voice. A time that knew a storm was coming, but it also would produce a rainbow.

As I sit and watch the current insane race for the next president of the United States I can’t help but ask myself is this the perfect storm? The spin and distortions from both campaigns has clouded the vision for we ordinary people--creating a division that perhaps can never be repaired. I just keep asking myself what can the average American (one who loves their country) do?

As we struggle to decide whom to vote for in this very important election I suggest that it might not hurt to lapse back to a more innocent time. A time when we did look at rainbows, and believed in a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. This country is rapidly approaching a point of losing hope for millions of people. And the adage that “Greed is good” has overtaken the axiom “United we stand.” Our elected self-serving servants have taken the place of leaders that genuinely cared about their constituents and now only answer to the latest manipulated opinion poll. These new servants speak to us about reality and how ours has changed, things are different . . . and rainbows are illusions.

Realism is a wonderful thing to be able to face and confront with honesty, but what is it worth if it is just a continuation of business as usual; bailout after bailout and the hard working tax paying American pays for it?

When a country’s people, we, the masses, begin to lose hope and the ability to believe in our leaders (government) what does that ultimately mean, or tell us what we have become? I suggest that means the end of democracy and the end of rainbows in our life. If we are condemned to believe that there is no hope for the average person will we not be susceptible to more labeling and more class restrictions?

We as a people have come to a place in time where we can choose to believe in rainbows . . . and believe there is a better road to take for this country. Or, we can succumb to “Madison Avenue” and either simply become a product, or one that buys them. This accompanied with the growing attitude to use the system and take, take, take--everything you can get. You begin to ask yourself if socialism is coming our way.

Being of common means and having only one vote I am not in a position to take both of these candidates by the scruff of the neck and shake them--telling them that this is my country, my life, (and hopefully many generations after mine) that you both are so arrogantly playing with. Don't you guys get it--we, the average Americans simply want the truth, what you truly feel about this country, and what you honestly can do, can't do, and will sincerely try to do to make it better. Given that information we can come to a rational, honest democratic decision on which one of you should serve us.

Knowing we average folks are basically helpless, with the exception of casting our one vote, I shall listen to the candidates' debate and continue on toward November 4th. I then shall stand up and cast my one vote and be thankful for the opportunity to exercise my freedom and pray that I will continue to be able to do so. However, as I wait, watch, and listen I will look for some honest emotions coming from one of these people--emotions that I feel is heart-felt and indicating that they want to keep this country for the people--truly for the "People."

The bottom line for me is we all must at least vote and become more involved because it is lack of participation that creates this chaos. We must seek out leaders that deal with reality, but also look for the rainbows in all these storms. For without rainbows we will have a government that will only protect a few, and govern for the elite.