The Things We Care About
The things that Americans care about are curious. I'm inclined to think that so many of the major issues of our time are really trends created by media. And, by those who best know how to manipulate it.
Here's a trend, we now live in a country where more businesses are closing than starting. That is a trend that the media generally doesn't talk about. Most Americans have a sense of just how bad things really are, but the media, for the most part, is silent. Americans, apparently, care deeply about gay marriage and transgender rights. Even though the recent changes in law will have very little real effect on the day to day lives of either gay or transgender people.
These are symbolic victories, mostly. But, if I were that 3% of the population that was affected, no matter how marginally, I would probably see it as a victory, too. Americans, also appear to have little concern about the nearly 20 trillion dollars of debt that hangs, like an albatross around their necks. But, the deficit is down. Even if it's only for a year or two. Then, it' set to rise again and continue rising for the foreseeable future. Either way, it means taxes and still more taxes. So, if people have to work 4 months a year or more to pay Uncle Sam, which is the case now, well, you get what you pay for. When the government drains money from the private economy in the form of high taxes should we wonder why the economy creates so few jobs? I think that goes without saying, but few are saying it. Better to talk about transgender bathroom rights, than what will put food on the table and pay your mortgage.
The question of the confederate flag is also a hot topic. One that nobody was talking about, until they started talking about it everywhere in the media. The horrific crimes committed by a racist scumbag in an African American church seem to have been the catalyst, although nobody ever said that the flag was a motivator of any kind. Political symbolism, once again, seems the prime issue. It's always better to give the impression of having done something meaningful, than it is to actually do something meaningful. That way you can take credit for a major victory while leaving the status-quo untouched.
Increasingly, it would seem, that the best way to deal with the dissolution of American, as it divides itself along racial, gender and economic lines, is to divide it even further. Only a child or a historically illiterate adult would assume the best way to ensure everyone gets their fair share, is by growing the government bigger and bigger. So that it can arbitrate every dispute, no matter how small, including the ones that various politicians instigate for their own gain.
Mark Magula
Here's a trend, we now live in a country where more businesses are closing than starting. That is a trend that the media generally doesn't talk about. Most Americans have a sense of just how bad things really are, but the media, for the most part, is silent. Americans, apparently, care deeply about gay marriage and transgender rights. Even though the recent changes in law will have very little real effect on the day to day lives of either gay or transgender people.
These are symbolic victories, mostly. But, if I were that 3% of the population that was affected, no matter how marginally, I would probably see it as a victory, too. Americans, also appear to have little concern about the nearly 20 trillion dollars of debt that hangs, like an albatross around their necks. But, the deficit is down. Even if it's only for a year or two. Then, it' set to rise again and continue rising for the foreseeable future. Either way, it means taxes and still more taxes. So, if people have to work 4 months a year or more to pay Uncle Sam, which is the case now, well, you get what you pay for. When the government drains money from the private economy in the form of high taxes should we wonder why the economy creates so few jobs? I think that goes without saying, but few are saying it. Better to talk about transgender bathroom rights, than what will put food on the table and pay your mortgage.
The question of the confederate flag is also a hot topic. One that nobody was talking about, until they started talking about it everywhere in the media. The horrific crimes committed by a racist scumbag in an African American church seem to have been the catalyst, although nobody ever said that the flag was a motivator of any kind. Political symbolism, once again, seems the prime issue. It's always better to give the impression of having done something meaningful, than it is to actually do something meaningful. That way you can take credit for a major victory while leaving the status-quo untouched.
Increasingly, it would seem, that the best way to deal with the dissolution of American, as it divides itself along racial, gender and economic lines, is to divide it even further. Only a child or a historically illiterate adult would assume the best way to ensure everyone gets their fair share, is by growing the government bigger and bigger. So that it can arbitrate every dispute, no matter how small, including the ones that various politicians instigate for their own gain.
Mark Magula