Sorrowful Words
Here in the states it seems as soon as we have slogged through the rank bogs of an election year, feeling battered and bruised, with the mud of the campaign still drying on our cheeks, we are immediately thrown right back into the fray. The rancorous fight continues. There is no longer even a pretense of bi-partisanship for the good of the country. Two years ago, my own state senator, in citing reasons to vote for him for re-election, declared it his mission to go to Washington and work to block the President’s policies, no matter what they were. And it seems he is not alone in this odd definition of his senatorial commission. Consequently, we are saddled with a maladroit congress, one impoverished of the sort of wisdom and intellectual dexterity that has, in the past, allowed our government to move forward, however incrementally, despite our well-defined differences. It is a frustrating time. It is an angry time. It is a sad time.
Even though the presidential election is still fourteen months away, the opposing party has been holding debates for the past several weeks, providing us with a glimpse into their ranks of supporters that has been eye-opening and, quite frankly, disturbing. First there were the audience cries of “let him die” when candidate Ron Paul was asked about those who become ill sans health insurance. Then came the audience cheers and whistles when Texas governor, Rick Perry, was asked about the 234 people his state has put to death during his time in office. Most recently, there was the booing and jeering of a gay soldier whose video taped question from Iraq was put to candidate Rick Santorum.
As chilling as these crowd reactions were, the most disturbing part was the lack of response from the candidates themselves, a silence that led me to conclude either they were in total agreement with those vociferous audience members or, equally unsettling, they lacked the moral courage to dispute them.
In speaking about these crowd reactions this past weekend President Obama said, “This is not reflective of who we are”. I fervently pray he is right. For I am finding it a sorrowful thing to be ashamed of my own countrymen.
“Give sorrow words. The grief that does not speak whispers to the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.”
W. Shakespeare
I totally agree with you Pamela and you say everything I feel so eloquently. The under current of hate and bitterness is alarming and the politicians are acting like a bunch of kids in a squabble on a playground. I would like to see them all grow up and show a little dignity and respect. It seems we are in a sad state of affairs and it is very scary. We can only hope and pray that decency wins in the end.
ReplyDeleteAll your points have been covered by the French press. Perhaps the greatest shock for Europeans was jeering a serving soldier .
ReplyDeleteDespite that I'm glad that 'the three gannets'are experiencing the real caring, heart warming America that I knew and which bubbles healthily away in the real world outside the beltway. The kindness of Americans is truly exceptional .
I turn away from the disgusting display of hubris and stupidity to ancient lore and poetry, the deepest inner core of me---
ReplyDeleteSeptember's Baccalaureate
A combination is Of Crickets -- Crows -- and Retrospects
And a dissembling Breeze
That hints without assuming --
An Innuendo sear
That makes the Heart put up its Fun
And turn Philosopher.
by Emily Dickinson,
Oddly enough Pamela my friend and I were talking about politicians over coffee this morning. Several of our Members of Parliament have gone to prison for fiddling their expenses. I think we have a right to expect our politicians to be above such things - to be honest and to be in the jon for the good of the country. Sadly, it does not seem to work like that either here in the UK or over there with you. I despair.
ReplyDeleteHello Pamela:
ReplyDeleteWhat a very disturbing state of affairs you describe here and so much time for all this backbiting to go on. It is so sad, as you say, that those running for high office do not have the moral courage to make clear their own values and beliefs so that the electorate can make informed choices about whom they wish to be represented by.
And in the UK too, scandals continue with the ongoing expenses fiddling [or should it just be stealing] of some MPs. We deserve better from our elected politicians, but where the future leaders with vision and spirit are coming from we know not.
There's a little silk thread of trust in the system that still tugs at me. Even good Republican citizens will get sick and tired of meanness. Take heart. Too bad Apple and Edward can't vote.
ReplyDeleteI so agree. It's just disheartening. Sad to say, it invades my way of looking at things. I had a short friendly chat with a neighbor as I walked my dog this afternoon, and I found myself thinking that he was undoubtedly a supporter of the other party. Divisive thinking! We need to realize we're neighbors and Americans and come together. When disaster strikes, our goodness and generosity usually come to the fore. Why can't our politicians act this way? But they only care about the next election and satisfying their base - not what's needed so desperately for the whole country now and for the long term. Sigh. I'm trying to limit my political exposure by monitoring my TV and internet news usage, but it's hard to avoid.
ReplyDeleteI've been away from TV and newspapers for a while, so am not up to date with this latest descent of political standards. The voting against something just to vote against it is bizarre. I feel your sadness for your country.
ReplyDeleteIt is despicable,glad you get such good support and energy from your readers and I am glad to be amongst them.
ReplyDeletealso I love Edward's seasonal portraits!
What always strikes me is that these so called decision makers and leaders lose sight of the fact that they are "servants of the people", elected by the people as representatives for the people. I cannot remember when I last met or heard of a selfless politician.
ReplyDeleteDi
X
I fear this is the way people really are. It is most definitely a time of believe like me or I won't like you, vote for you, be kind to you. Did you happen to hear Andrei Codrescu on NPR? If not, it is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2011/09/26/140818251/impending-doom-or-not
I found it chilling in its comparison to life in the 1930s.
Pamela, you are so completely right! The whole climate in this country (both political and moral) makes me slightly sick to my stomach. To think that the possible candidates for the next Presidency include Michelle Bachman, Rick Perry, and whatever other nitwits that might crop up, just makes me livid. Where are those with integrity, honesty, honor, and morals? Have any of the current members of Congress ever even read the Constitution?? This is NOT the country I grew up in and loved! I don't know what country this is, but I sure didn't sign up to be a part of it!
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more, it would be so refreshing to see the politicians that we elected go to Washington and to actually represent us. The current state of America is disheartening, people are starving, record numbers are homeless, even more are jobless and without insurance but apparently it is to much ask for these politicians to come together to help find solutions to these problems. I am saddened for the people in America, they are becoming so discouraged with their current fate that they are now turning on one another, as evidenced with the booed soldier.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to turn back the clocks where an election year was when you ran for election, now 2 years before. How do these peole continue to have jobs when their election/ relection takes up the majority of their work day? And why are we paying for it!
I've been so deflated by all the news over the past few months that I am on a pretty intense news-fast. But now I'm sitting with the fact that I didn;t even KNOW about all this, and is THAT acceptable? I don;t think so! Truly, I feel so incredibly stunned by how things have been unfolding the past few years that I, too, struggle with being ashamed of us as a country and quite frankly am dumbfounded.
ReplyDeleteBeing from the United States and living out of the country but getting all of the news and television coverage, it is sad to see the hate and ugliness.
ReplyDeleteWhat is upsetting is to see the closed-mindedness
of people on both sides, each thinks everyone on the Other side is horrible.
It is really depressing to see so much hate .
Yes, indeed it seems we live in a world gone crazy - it becomes increasingly difficult to peel back the layers, to see any hope - we clutch at this and that in the hope that perhaps things aren't too bad, that maybe there is hope. In my own country, our politicians are all about raw power and materialism, they lack the sophistication of Western politicians, trading our newly won democracy for the latest luxury car - while our people die of HIV/Aids and hungry. I follow US politics and it is sometimes overwhelming - because whether we like it or not everything these days is interconnected.
ReplyDeleteI agree and beautifully put.
ReplyDeleteWe have just had an election for Parliament here in Denmark and the campaign left me feeling just like you.Well put.
ReplyDeleteDearest Pamela,
ReplyDeleteOnce again I fully understand why I am so pleased to consider you a friend, albeit virtual.
You are a beautiful writer and what you have said here is moving, intelligent and, as you so rightly pointed out, disturbing.
Since I have lived outside of the United States for so many years I often now have doubts about how proud I always was of my country. Where is the compassion?
Thank you and bravo for your courage to venture where few dare to tread.
Tishxo
well said, my friend,but I do believe
ReplyDeletewe are still a very great nation and must rise up and act like it once again.
Sorrowful indeed! I want to get up and do something about it... Time to shout, "Enough!" and find a way to stop the madness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pamela, for speaking so eloquently about this serious turn of ugliness in our culture. My action wheels are turning.
I think that since the 80's we have been through so many changes and have followed a wayward path toward this current scene we are now a part of...reaching it's peak at the end of the last administration. The season, therefore, has been ripe for these types of candidates to surface, as bacteria does when all has been contaminated. It will take a lot of determination on our part to vote in those most apt to honor their roles in Congress, to vote out the most ridiculous, childish, and dangerous hypocritical members asap. The outcome of the next election will mean do or die for the United States, I'm afraid. True, most of the outside world sees this better than we do...
ReplyDeleteI cannot add anything further to the very eloquent comments of your well informed and interesting followers except to say..listen to world radio its happening everywhere like a madness..like a self destruct so many facets of the same ugly situation..it makes me afraid for the fragility of who we are.
ReplyDeleteLynn xxxxx
Watching and hearing those reactions from the audience was disheartening -- to say the least! We stand with you on this posting! Politicians of all stripes work for us -- and always expect to receive their pay, their benefits and certainly their pensions -- along with the perks of using our money to become very very welathy. I believe that if We the People must be limited in our choices -- then THEIR pay, benefits and pensions must be cut to the bone too!
ReplyDelete“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.” Dr. Seuss
We have a voice too, one of tolerance and acceptance, and it also must be heard. Be active, pursue peace, and vote
I find the political situation very troubling too. You summed it up very well, especially with a quote from the Bard. I guessed Macbeth and that is correct. Let’s hope our leader’s future is less fraught.
ReplyDeletebeing outside of the country i am often asked about our politics and what is happening. i can no longer defend the US and am grossly offended. thank you pamela for an eloquent and succinct post.
ReplyDeletedebra
Moral courage is sorely lacking in all arenas and politics, unfortunately, seems to be as usual.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your courage and your words.
ReplyDeletei have hopes that this silly planet will look up from virtually every 'nationalized' country and see some form of ET. i hope he's benevolent. but it would serve us right if he were not. maybe THEN we could stand as united earthlings and forget the greed & hate, the avarice, the vicious backstabbing and self-serving political posturing... oh god. you said it so well. and so did all your other commenters. vote? we just keep voting in the 'other' morons who keep the charade going til we vote in the 'other' morons again. give us some new stock! we're here ET... put a good scare into us!
ReplyDelete(what am i saying? with only mild tongue in cheek) we would only KILL him with a bomb or something.
tammy j
I totally agree with your beautifully articulate post. I cried when I read of the jeering a gay soldier. Disgusting!
ReplyDeleteI am now going to post on my Facebook (which I hardly use and don't know how to work it well), this link, I hope!
You really need to look at Obamas comments-talk about mud slinging-we need to get our fiscal house in order first and foremost-please don't attack republicans and put mr.obama on a pedestal-sad that you are looking at things this way.
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