Labor

Some thoughts on labor day weekend

So, the political stuff is coming out and people are posting on Facebook, and I’m sure other places as well. I am intrigued by politics, I am bored by politics, and I’m always a little surprised that people like movie stars think they know enough about anything to voice an opinion nationwide. But that is our nation. 

If I speak to, (or write about) something, anything, I hope to have somewhat of an educated say. This is my hope. This doesn’t mean there’s no disagreeing, but it does mean that what I’m saying is based on my limited understanding of some things, and my more in-depth understanding of others. This is something that doesn’t get said often enough. What is a politician’s expertise, exactly? With what rigor have they studied both the problem(s) and the possible solutions? What has been done, and what can be done? Who are the experts they are consulting? How about instead of a candidate, we vote on a plan? I understand that this is supposed to be part of the process, that the parties supposedly have plans--but these plans are not in the news, Clint Eastwood is. 

What often comes into play, is what I see as “appeasing my god.” This is not a new thing to humankind, the reason that the old testament god tempted Abraham, (according to some) to kill his son Isaac, was to see if Abraham would follow the heathens who were known for sacrificing their children to the god Molech. On a new twist to this, since the old testament (and therefore new testament) god does not want human sacrifice, some folks (those who hold abortion to be wrong in their god’s eyes), deem that the reason we have suffering in our country/culture is that we have legal abortions. A god who does not want sacrifice, therefore, but wants retribution. A god who retaliates, (the same god I think, who invented forgiveness). 

What I'm wanting to know, however, is, is there a politician out there somewhere who can unhinge their personal religious belief system from what is good for our country? Is there someone out there with a good grasp of economics who also understands the power of our country’s history? Who understands that there have been some initiatives that have worked? Just look at the infrastructure that was created after WWII. Just look at the work of the unions who brought us safety and decent wages to some professions. Do you see the movie industry waning? Just look, and you will see union symbols on the ending credits of films. Who can predict where we need to be in 10 or 20 years for the sake of education and preparing the new little ones entering kindergarten this fall? Who can put into place initiatives that can be implemented before these kids graduate college? 

Who can take all the health care dollars being drained and put into the pockets of insurance company executives and put them into a universal program that makes premium health care for all a priority? That brings down our dismally high infant mortality rate? Studies show over and over that people are most happy when they live in a culture where everyone has what they need. In that sort of culture, you are not measuring yourself against your neighbor to see if you come out “better.” You are measuring your standard of living by the satisfaction that comes from everyone doing well. Who can bring about this sort of prosperity to our nation? 

Trying to appease a god, (or anyone) seems to me to be a very scary way to run a nation. So, how do we run our nation? Do we make a huge chart that lists issues such as, the health care crisis, war, returning vets and that health care crisis, unemployment, providing schools that nurture and educate, providing a safety net for folks unable to work, cleaning up the environment. . . ? How about a reality show that shows us how the government is project managing our country? How about spread sheets that can encompass every sector? Is there a graduate program somewhere for prospective candidates with courses such as “Dealing with a middle east crisis?” How can we even possibly know who is qualified for the position of “leading” or managing our country?

I’m just asking, who’s in charge and what are their credentials and world view? I understand the power of cash to buy things, including position and votes, how much of this really does come into play (outside of what we know from Michael Moore)? Don’t ask me to listen to an actor talking to a chair, or believe in someone who feels so unsafe they need to have the power of a gun (or corporation, or church) behind them. Don’t ask me to take seriously someone who thinks that we all need is to appease their god. I seriously don’t think outlawing abortion or birth control will solve the debt crisis. Where is a candidate who can bring wisdom and healing to our nation, instead of rhetoric and flag waving? A candidate with no gods to appease? 

And more about labor

I just have to bring up this wonderful book, called All Things Are Labor: Stories by Katherine Arnoldi, it is beautiful and wonderful. I love it because it is a work by the same author who wrote The Amazing  True Story of a Teenage Single Mom. Arnoldi inspires me as a mom and a writer, and years ago she inspired me when my daughter was a teenage mom. She reminds me of the holy spirit that resides in all of us.