Life, "-------" , and the Pursuit of Happiness

Well, it's time for a horrifically sporradic blog post! I felt angry enough about something to blog...enjoy!

As the election is coming closer and America is polarized right or left to tear at each other from different angles, I must wonder how much anybody REALLY cares. Apart from the extreme interest in the entertainment value of bi-partisan politics, do Americans actually give a rip? My answer: I don't think so.

Everyone is making this election out to be the "most important one" of our times. Is it? Who will fix America?! McCain or Obama?! They both offer as much hope and faith as you can squeeze into a 30 second TV spot. They both look as though their ultimate prerogative is my well-being and happiness. Who is the man or woman for the job? My answer: you. I believe this is also the answer to who is at fault for where we are now.

As I was recently reading George Washington's Farewell Address from 1796, I couldn't help but notice he predicted and warned against such national disunity and the crystallization of hope all put into one man or woman.

"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty." (italics my own)

I believe at this point that we as a nation do not want to fix our country. We want the president and congress elected to fix the country, but there are a few problems with that approach. Firstly, we are the main problem. An evil ignorant people elect evil leaders. Congress cannot combat the same force that got it elected. It will reflect those who elected them. Therefore, there are no longer the intellectually elite, champions of liberty serving our county alongside a people willing to sacrifice. The majority of congress is a steaming heap of money-grubbing miscreants better suited for making a scene than doing anything good for humanity.Granted, the founding fathers were frequently erring and only human, I see the current congress more interested in getting elected and expanding power (rule) than liberty for the people.

But, we have given that liberty up for happiness; mediocre happiness. I see us handing over our Liberty to a governemnt in exchange for happiness and security. liberty takes sacrifice, responsibility, and hard work. Who wants that? I see people handing over personal responsibility (liberties) to the state left and right.

- I don't want to live wisely and save money for old age. Do it for me.
- I don't want to work. Give me money.
- I don't want to provide healthcare for myself. Do it for me.
- I don't want to educate my children. Do it for me.
- I don't want my child. Kill it for me.
- I don't want to realize the world is not fair. Make it fair.
- I don't want life to be hard. Make it easy.
- I can't control my eating. Control it for me.
- I can't research what's good for me. Do it for me.
- I can't pay my debts. Cancel them.
- I live above my means. Make that work for me.
- I want my life to be safe. Make it safe.

When we relegate personal responsibilities to the state I believe we are giving up our liberty for bondage. But it's easier that way. Liberty requires hard work and sacrifice. It also does not guarantee a pain free or fair existence!

As long as we seek our redemption in one man or party, and expect the state to make life easy for us, none of us can complain when we're a hovel of socialistic mediocrity like Britain.

We are ALL citizens of this country with duties that go far beyond just voting for someone to represent us. How much effort does that really take anways? A quick trip to the voting booth? We have some of the poorest citizens this country has to offer in office because we have either failed to serve or stood silent as power hungry individuals have taken over. We have not complained when congress has gotten away with taking our liberty. We have bartered with them for life and happiness in exchange for liberty. It is our duty to pursue liberty as a whole.

So who will fix America, McCain or Obama? That is a horrible question. The name that should appear in the box is yours. Don't let one person, or a small group of them do what you are supposed to do. The results of people giving away liberty for security/happiness will be bondage. Do you have any more thoughts on this?

My next post will be political as well. I will be addressing the issue of how the church has failed to meet social needs and how Facism answers those needs in the form of political religion.