Happy Moon day! No, it’s not Monday but moon day. 48years ago today. What a cool event. I would say thank god for President Kennedy, NASA, and the “American will” to put a man on the moon. But really, it was Russia (USSR), the cold war, and the space race that drove the US to put a man on the moon. Russia, at first beat us at every turn. First successful unmanned spacecraft, first orbit, first animal, first man in space, first man back up and back, first satellite. We did all that, then we put a manned craft around the moon, then we landed there – we won. Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, then the Space Shuttle. What happened to our science? What happened to our creativity? What happened to our innovation? What happened to our drive? I would blame it on the bleeding heart liberals, but I really don’t believe that – I am secretly part of that group. Because you see, I am an artist. While, it may not be my day job, it is what I am. I believe in sponsored art endowments, art programs, thinking outside the box. Sponsored science, sponsored research projects for Americans. (As a side note: I remember Bell Labs – my first electronics teacher was part of the team that invented the semi-conductor. My first Russian Language teacher was on the linguistics team that developed one of the first programming languages for the government.) Bell Labs, the space program, NASA, American pride. I remember the SR-71, spies, parades, the CIA. I remember Vietnam, the un-winnable quagmire. The summer of 69′. Rock legends.
It is my total and complete belief that as Americans, we can and always have come together to get anything done that we want to. Anything we want to put our collective wills to. In this day and age of complete political gridlock, really only 3 things have changed. There are only 3 things that stand in the way of us, the American people from becoming great again.
First, we have elevated professional arguers to an unheard of level – lawyers, versed in the art of politics and self marketing, steeped in the pockets of big money, and in bed with the media, rule. There is no accountability – that is the fault of the people. There is no end to their sociopathic reign – also the fault of the people. We are too busy as a people to fight anymore. I don’t want to know, don’t bother me with the details, just get it done – has been our mantra.
Second, media which traditionally included news is now completely biased. There is no such thing anymore as the news – that is if you take out weather and sports. I don’t believe squat that comes out of any announcers mouth. I just think of it as entertainment, until the weather begins and it continues through sports. Then I turn it off and go to bed. There are no more reporters – only announcers.
Third, the internet. This began the 24hr news cycle and due to unchecked facts and an absolutely limitless propensity of anonymity, and circular re-quotes without revealing sources, anyone can get away with anything.
When you combine the first 2, and throw in the 3rd just for fun, you get today’s political environment. Gridlock. Sociopathic “Leaders” that are complete hypocrites, lying and stealing from the public with absolute impunity, backed up with politically agenda-ed media, and a bend for 24hour hammering the info/entertainment-starved populous with unchecked bullshit. When I think of efficiency – I do not think of government. Really, what do politicians bring to the table? Do you have better health care? Why not? They do. Are you making more money these days? Why not? They are. Is government getting things done faster? Don’t think so? Does the IRS run better these days? Nope. Are we going to Mars? Nope. Does the government have a science lab where they are making huge advancements? Nope. A cure for cancer? Not in their best interest. Do you love going to the DMV because its just the pinnacle of efficiency? Nope. Is the environment better? Nope. Are there more people working today than ever? We sure as hell have more people. Nope. The government exists for the governments sake – or so it seems. Where is the lottery money going? Schools? Nope. What about the war on drugs – winning? Nope – not in their best interest (yet). EPA good? Nope. Taxes going down? Nope. FDA good? Not really. If I had anyone that was un-corruptible, maybe. But I don’t. Do we really need all these subsidy’s? I doubt it. Why do they exist? If something isn’t profitable, why is it in business? Oh, wait! Government is in business. And you can sure as hell believe its profitable – to someone.
My state (Illinois) is so corrupt, it makes me feel ill when I think about it. Republican in Governors office, democrats have the majority senate and the house of reps. Can we get anything done? Hell no. Except raise taxes. Why? So they can spend more. Cut spending? Hell no. How can I give you something if I have no money? Make money? What are you fucking kidding me? How does the government make money? The government makes nothing, except more government. More lawyers, more laws, more courts. When is the last time anything the related to the government, has cut costs? Service cuts, hell yea, price increases, hell yea, more taxes, yep.
I need to bring my rant to a close. In general, I think we are a society of egocentric enablers driven by the thoughts and feelings of the past. Its ok to think about the past because if you forget about the past, you are doomed to repeat it. But we need to live in the present. We need to deal with todays problems today. The problems of the past become todays problems when we don’t live in the present. Now, I’m not saying to forgo the future for today, but as a collective, we need to make some harsh decisions and maybe do without for a bit. I know that’s not popular and would never get me elected. But, I have to live within my means. I think that the government needs to live within its means. Bad decisions have consequences. Its time to let our politicians know that and vote them out. It’s time for change. That is the beauty of our system.
Rat
