The other day I saw a posting from a casual
friend on Facebook, (thanks Mark). It said, “Faced
with the choice between changing one’s mind and proving that there is no need
to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.”
— John Kenneth Galbraith
It got me to thinking
about the social media dialogues I am routinely exposed to. Generally, it begins with the posting of
someone else’s meme and my questioning it.
I accept that memes are intended solely as propaganda for one side or
another, but there are times the lies and half-truths contained in them are so outrageous
I feel compelled to comment. This rarely
has any affect on the poster of the meme.
In fact, the internet has developed new words for people who challenge
or comment on the legitimacy of a position.
So most of the time I either
ignore the stupidity of the post or hide it so I don’t have to be bombarded
with the absurdity others feel compelled to push in front of me.
So now we come full
swing into this election season, and those memes will only increase. After a full year of the media hyping or
slamming every candidate, and the political junkies besmirching or glorifying
their particular targets, I have to believe almost everyone has made up their
mind about who they love or despise.
There are those who either love or despise the current administration so
much they are willing to cast their lot with an old, rich, white candidate of
questionable integrity and judgement (as far as I know each party has a least one of
these). Then there are those who wish to
move further to whatever side they currently are on and buy into the promises
of those who would pander to them. Finally, there are those who question the process
by which we choose our candidates and would long for a return to a time where
we were no obligated to demonize those we disagree with politically, and were
able to find candidates who would be truthful and be able to explain the role
of the President without promising beyond their ability to deliver. Unfortunately, being truthful does not get a
candidate many votes, because we are all greedy and want to increase our share
of the pie and the only way to achieve that this through the election.
So here are a few
thoughts for those who love the promises of Mr. Sanders. If everyone has a college degree, then what
will separate those in well paying positions and those who work at Freddie’s
Fish Fillet Funhouse? Will it be the
prestige of the University like it is today? Next, if we allow unlimited emigration
to the US, and all the jobs that must be done, like garbage collection, home
construction, road work and landscaping go to these individuals where will the
typical citizen with a degree from Harvey’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Philosophy
work? Or will they be supported by the state as civil servants and allowed to think great
thoughts for a living? Finally, how much
will this all cost the middle class, who regardless of the promises to tax the
rich, will bear the bunt of the economic burden just through the shear number
of people in that group?
On the other side of
the coin, for those who love the promises of Mr. Trump just one simple
question. What in his history, statements, and demeanor suggests he would be
able to accomplish anything he says when he blusters his way through the roll
of President? Although we have moved
significantly towards making the Office of President one where he or she can be an autocrat; the power of the purse still rests with Congress. Finally, do you
really think his interest is in the welfare of the middle class? If he saw a deal that would increase his
fortune would he really put the interest of the nation before self-interest?
There are certain fundamental
issues Mr. Trump has touched on that the left seems reluctant to address and
unfortunately their supporters seem to care little about. One of those issues is with foreign trade
agreements. We seem to love entering
into these things, but what has it gotten us so far? Did NAFTA create new work for our middle
class or did it allow American companies to move jobs out of the country? In the end you have to ask yourself, who did
NAFTA benefit, the ordinary citizen or the rich who fund both parties?
Well that is enough
rambling for today. Time to get busy
with real work.
