Marc YachtThe nation’s ongoing disputes make us great. Whether driven by Glenn Beck, Rachel Maddow, Fox News, or CNN, everybody forms an opinion.
Some actually study the problem, but that takes work. When it comes to physical effort, Americans excel. But when it comes to mental exertion, most folks would just as soon listen to someone else.
That’s called passive learning and not the way the academics do it. But who wants to live in an ivory tower anyway? It’s easier to let Rush Limbaugh-types educate us. Besides, it’s entertaining.
No one likes to get worked up more than Americans. Normally, a prisoner of war exchange would soften the heart of any citizen. After all, we are bringing one of our “boys” home. In saner times, we wouldn’t give a second thought to freeing 100 of the enemy to get one of ours. The ex-POW would get a ticker tape parade in Times Square. The soldier would get the keys to the city.
Not during these dog days! Democrat and Republican fights make our recent wars look like a cakewalk. I am surprised our politicians aren’t swinging clubs and maces. These two parties would argue what street they’re on, what day it is, or when the 5 p.m. train leaves the station.
Health care and education so critical to the nation’s progress are central to political disputes. The health care impasse centers on privatized versus government-funded health care. That is the perception and it’s a false one.
The battle for education pits those who feel public education has failed against those who wish to protect it. One side sees a privatized system as superior. The other, proponents of public education, are not ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater. They see improved resources as the key to educating America’s youth.
Of course, religious battles rage. Should creationism be considered legitimate science? Does the Bible literally depict history? All combatants love a good fight. With endless disputes, it is no wonder little gets done.
That brings us to the Obama presidency. Republicans have made it clear that if Obama is for it, they’re against it. Someone like Roosevelt, Nixon, or Johnson could deal with such insolence. Why not Obama?
Even a released prisoner of war sparks controversy. Whatever this fellow did or didn’t do, we should be joyful he has returned home. As for the exchange, five freed criminals should be no big deal in the scheme of things. When is that 5 p.m. train leaving the station?
Round and round she goes. Another political battle looms right around the corner. After all, November draws closer every day.
One has to wonder how this country survived its politics for so long. Or better yet, right from the Good Book, “They have sown the wind and they shall reap the whirlwind.”
Marc Yacht is a semi-retired physician living in Hudson, Fla. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
