Cartoon 850: Rose Colored Glasses

Question: Is it patriotic to question things?

Our history is a checkered past. The story is full of denial, distortions, and outright lies. America is a land of myth, a modern Camelot. There is a absolutely no way a group of men two years ago wrote such a brilliant document it is so relevant today. It is even considered divine by some. The document has endured because its interpretation has changed with political winds. The Founding Fathers would be appalled at today’s interpretations. How do we know? They wrote in their letters their thinking behind the document they created.

The signature pieces of Americanism are failing to capture the mindset of the young and even waning domestically. As a nation we constantly champion democracy. But with a caveat of leaders of our choosing. We installed the current rulers of Iraq and Afghanistan. We then hold elections to supposedly legitimize our choices. We condoned the overthrow of the elected leader in Egypt. In America, like anywhere else, what passes for democracy is the legitimization of actions of the rich and powerful. They use gerrymandering, vote crafting, and restrictions to ensure electorate control.

The democracies in foreign countries are noted for coups. Someone powerful throws out the elected government. Next they hold a quasi election to seemingly claim the will of the people. Democracy has another failing even when it is the will of the majority. The last time you were at restaurant did you order that dessert you should not have? People vote their personal interests. Their desires many not be in the best interests of a nation or even themselves. We can clearly see that with votes for religious theocracy. We can see it here with nearly a century of lack of needed investment in infra structure. The money for a stadium or a business incentive seems to always be available, the dessert.

The other signature piece is capitalism. Inevitably the rich garner an increasing percentage of the wealth. Wealth breeds wealth. This is the way the system is supposed to work. Inequality constantly grows. The modifier must be culture and government. The rich work to capture government to further their ends, especially here in America. Therefore there is no modifier and you have a runaway disproportion of wealth. Throughout history this situation leads to revolution and the fall of the system of things. It is always a surprise to those in power. It will be equally a surprise here.

We cannot reach our potential unless we open the door and look at what is hidden in the closet.