Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.  –  John F. Kennedy

It has been quite a period of time since my last post.  Probably a combination of a number of factors but as I began to think about it, the reason became a bit clearer.  Am I any less angry or awash in angst over the state of our country at the moment?  Not at all.  In fact, my level of concern is at a level that I don’t believe has ever been higher.  The difference is I am also at a point of being frozen given I am beginning to doubt that we are fixable.  I’m not apathetic as I would expect that might cure my anger.  At times I’ve wondered if part of getting older is that the situation doesn’t really change but our perception is what morphs.   Kind of “It has always been this screwed up – I just didn’t notice or it made less of a difference.”  Well, I don’t think that any more – it hasn’t been this bad before.  Yes, times have been bad before and we have struggled as a nation and a society.  The difference is I think there was more of a set rules that bound us together as a nation and there were individuals who were actually able to work together for the betterment of the country – not a mass of individual wants or pockets of agendas that needed to get their 15 minutes no matter the cost.  I am no Pollyanna thinking that things haven’t always been unfair, the deck wasn’t stacked for many and that there haven’t always been agendas and benefits to the “haves” vs the “have nots” but we have arrived at this time as a country run by morons and half-wits who only see their self-interest as the end game.  Not sure where it was lost that we live in a democracy and that the majority basically rule.  Our constitution ensures that majority can only go so far but to have reached a point where every small political group feels their wishes need to be part of the solution has taken our country to the point where nothing works.  To believe that every solution has to work at 100% of everyone means that nothing will work for anyone.

I started this blog as somewhat of a catharsis to deal with the level of anger and frustration I feel as I walk, watch and interact with the world around me.  It started local and got broader as I found some nice targets as we approached the last Presidential election.  I tried to point out the folly of thought and the disconnect of action of many of those out there that profess to have the qualities to be leaders.  To be honest, it was like shooting fish in a barrel.  I’ll be the first to admit I have few answers.  I know what works for me and I know where my focus has been in particular on making sure those closest to me are okay.  In comparison to many, I’m in pretty good shape.  I want to little in terms of physical needs.  Despite my level of anger (i have my good days and bad) which is obvious to those around me, I’m at terms with most everything I can have influence over.  So back to my original point in why I haven’t been blogging – I’m not sure where to start for one thing.  I’m also frustrated that people don’t seem to want to help themselves.  I remain incredulous of the laziness and ignorance people have no issue sitting in.  As I’ve said many times, the fact that people are willing to support and vote against their own interest remains one of those things I don’t think I’ll ever understand.  I do reach a point where I wonder if we just need to hit rock bottom before most people start to pay attention and we realize, as a country, that it isn’t really politics first and people second.  To be where the Tea Party has any influence in any situation is close – it tells me that people’s moral and ethical compass is broken and true north has been lost.  When Miley Cyrus gets the number of news cycles she does, you have to wonder.  It is scary as hell.

Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.   –  Mark Twain