While I usually only dabble in political issues and honestly try not to offend those on either side of the political fence, I can’t let the events of the day pass without a comment. We have little to boast about as a nation, or as human beings, if it is true that our elected leaders are spit on, threatened and have racial, ethnic and sexual slurs hurled upon them in our nation’s Capitol—or anywhere. For several months I’ve thought about weaving a post around the movie Idiocracy. This seems like as good a shot as I’ll get. Please, please, please rent, download, or buy the movie Idiocracy. It’s dystopian, laugh out loud comedy; it’s satire, it's farce, and it “paints an ugly future for our culture.” And while you’re laughing, you may notice that it’s not all that funny or impossible.
Since the beginning of recorded history we’ve known that politicians don’t always agree with each other, and the populace doesn’t always agree with the politicians. Political assassinations and murders have been recorded since the beginning of time. In the U.S., seven presidents since John F. Kennedy have survived more than one assassination attempt. President Obama has reportedly been the target of more than one already. Countless others have been murdered for their beliefs and politics.
We haven’t heard anything about someone being murdered today over the healthcare bill. What we have heard was that elected officials were spit on and called some very unprintable names. What the hell are people thinking when they behave this way? Doesn’t it make you wonder why anyone would run for a political office? Don't get me wrong; I don't think all politicians wear white hats. But I honestly wonder sometimes if there is hope for our species.
Isn’t exercising our right or privilege to vote intended to be our means of expressing our discontent or agreement with our politicians? Perhaps because our lives are so fast-paced now, a few greenies or gobs, skillfully-launched, are more efficient and expedient than waiting for the next election.
Do watch Idiocracy.
Donna
off to Blockbuster to rent the movie. I'll let you know what I think after I see it.
ReplyDeleteSandy
The people who showed their true feelings Sat. with such dispicable behavior are a very dangerous group. Fortunately, they are not the majority. Unfortunately, they are very vocal, and influential in a dangerous way. I am very proud that tonight we will have a yes vote on health care that will with time put the U.S. on the list with other countries that feel it's citizens deserve health care. If we really want a debate on spending, how 'bout talking about the military. Barbara
ReplyDeleteJust a little while ago someone in the House of Reps was interrupting the speech of a democratic House-member with a shout of "baby-killer". Of course there was a reprimand by the speaker, but stands as having been said. And the coward did not even come forward, so nobody knows who it was. We are the only western industrialized nation that has no health-care-system supported by the government. And,the people who are upset about having to pay a fine if they are not insured, well, we've had to do that for car-insurance for years. So we are forced to have car-insurance, but no health-insurance. And that is supposed to be ok? God,it's an amazing time!! I'm off to get the movie!! Gerda
ReplyDeleteWhat truly amazed me when watching the news clips about the harrassment, was that some of the people hurling the insults in the hallways had their YOUNG children with them. Imagine their school teacher asking, "What did you do for Spring Break?" "I watched my parents spit on Congressmen in Washington." Good lesson in citizenship. Priscilla Keifer
ReplyDeleteA lot of the comments I've heard, read on Facebook, etc., seem to be not so much concerned with an overall health care system for (almost) everyone as it is the following:
ReplyDelete-- those of us working and paying taxes having to pay for many (not all) of insurance for folks who WON'T work; there are those that work and just don't make enough money (so why not regulate what insurances / doctors can charge?)
-- the concerns over the invasion of privacy - at least the perception of what insurance companies, etc., can do; I'm not really sure what that's going to be like; maybe that's in the next piece of legislation with changes
-- the fact that what apparently is good enough for us isn't good enough for the government folks; why would Congress vote for something that they weren't willing to subscribe to - obviously has to be not as good as what they already get.
-- and we all heard that most of the Congress didn't even read the whole thing; and there are supposedly other items, not really related to healthcare, that seemed to have slipped in.
Debbi
It seems I visited the "best" in Nashville whenever I have company, but don't think of it otherwise. I remember when my mother and father-in-law were alive, we'd visit them in D.C. and they made us go EVERYWHERE. They always had company and always took them to the wonderful galleries and museums and never tired of it. I need to visit these places more. Barbara
ReplyDelete