Today's Report
I've been absent for a few days, but I've been doing my best to keep one of my legs elevated through this time. The problem area is much better today, and I've got a doctor's appointment to look at it tomorrow, but I shall not push things by staying at my computer too long.
It's nice today. We've had rain off and on, mostly at night, so the grass is growing (much to my nephew Timmy's chagrin). I remember those days quite clearly, and I find myself missing the opportunity to do a lot of the things I once viewed as work. However, when I flip that coin, I also know that I have found retirement to be more fulfilling than I imagined. While it's true I still have daily chores (laundry, dishes, and cleaning up after the puppy decides everything chewable needs to be chewed), I also enjoy sitting outside beside the pond. These days I'm using the time to not only watch the birds and fish, but to also listen to an audiobook or two.
The Manufactured Debt Crisis
I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this one. When I watch the news, I'm often reminded of the many movies and television shows I've watched through the years when disaster looms on the horizon. There was a time when you still got caught up in it all despite knowing the cavalry would come over the hill at the last minute, and then there was a time when disaster overtook everyone. I really enjoy a well-done disaster movie more because it shows the resilience of humankind than anything else, but I'm also aware that sometimes it doesn't matter how resilient we may be, sometimes that disaster washes over us like a tidal wave sweeps across the lowlands. If you're up on the mountaintop looking down on it all, you suddenly understand the true meaning of helplessness. That's how I feel as I watch the manufactured crisis threatening our country. Hopefully they'll find a way out of it, but the radical right is feeling powerful right now, and I'm not sure invoking the 14th Amendment will be enough to prevent more such nonsense in our future. Where is that cavalry when you need it? Someone blow that horn loud and strong!
What Influences Us?
I saw an article today that said most of us are influenced by information that reinforces our attitudes. For instance, if I believe the GOP is an evil force in today's world (I do, obviously), then I'm pleased to find evidence of that in the news (which I must admit I do more often than I'd like). On the other hand, I find myself longing for the days when people could disagree while also finding the way to compromise. Some of the best things that have happened in this country happened not because one side or the other forced them down the other's throat, but because both sides talked with one another and found a way through to making things better for everyone.
I'll take one example as proof of my premise. The Food Stamp Program is also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). While I am astonished that anyone could find a problem with a program that helps people survive as much as SNAP does, I'm amazed at how short-sighted those who oppose it must be to take that position. Here is a program that doesn't hurt anyone. It's a small part of the budget. In fact, it's part of the Department of Agriculture's budget. It supplements the ability of individuals and families below certain income guidelines to keep food on the table. That's why the word supplement is in the program name. Those guidelines are based on the Poverty Level. A large part of those eligible for this program are children, the elderly, and the disabled. There ARE work-requirements for the able-bodied despite what those who oppose it say. I've got more to say on the subject of work requirements, but I'll save it for another day.
When I speak of the power of compromise, I'm talking about the fact that SNAP was supported by both Democrats and Republicans. Together, they took a good idea and hammered out their differences to achieve something that actually helped a large number of Americans.
Facts that support your attitudes are good facts. Facts that don't support your attitudes are still good facts. Toss the concept of fake facts out the window. Fake facts don't exist. A lie is still a lie no matter how you dress it up, and if you believe a lie without questioning it, your belief is wrong. That's all there is to it.
And that, my friends, is enough for today. It's time to go get my leg elevated again.
Have a nice day.
Take care, and stay safe.
cma
No comments:
Post a Comment