Dear Mr. President-Elect — Can’t You See This Is The Land of Confusion?
Over the past six months, we’ve been honored to run Jennifer Kirk’s engaging series about all sides of the presidential election: Land of Confusion. Today, she shares her final thoughts about today’s election…
[Image from RalphSteadman.com]
“This may be the year when we finally come face to face with ourselves; finally just lay back and say it — that we are really just a nation of 220 million used car salesmen with all the money we need to buy guns, and no qualms at all about killing anybody else in the world who tries to make us uncomfortable.”
This quote comes from the late, great Hunter S. Thompson. It was made in 1972 and sadly, it still rings true to this day. Today is a day, that no matter what happens, will remain in our memory for years to come. It is a day that we have to make a collective decision on how the direction of our country will go for the next four years, and perhaps longer. It is a day that we make a statement to the rest of the world as to who we are and who we aim to be. A day that no matter the outcome — we must still stand, united. I sincerely hope that our divisions can one day be mended come January 20 when one of the candidates takes office. Our country and our model of government are still very young in the eyes of the world. So late today, or most likely, tomorrow — we will find out what our statement will be to the world, but more importantly what that statement says of ourselves.
Over the past few months we have looked at several issues that are quite prevalent today, including: race and freedom of speech, military service, terrorist attacks and gun control, our countries crumbling infrastructure, poverty and the economics of touring, the economic and housing downturn, protests, faith in the youth of America, and finally, one of my personal favorites — who Johnny Cash would vote for in today’s election.
READ ON for more of the election day edition of LoC, and be sure to head over to Rebirth of Slack for HT Founder Ace Cowboy’s prediction…
I entitled this series Land of Confusion, because it illustrates what we as a country are going through. We’re confused and probably a little scared. Yes, we all have our differences — different viewpoints, different religions, and different beliefs. But when it comes down to it — we all want ourselves, our family, and our friends to be happy and healthy, to feel safe, to have the freedom to be who they want to be and to have as many opportunities as possible in order to succeed.
Governments have the ability to provide some of these services and opportunities. By providing basic infrastructures, we have access to utilities and roads which help enable our ability to survive, have a roof over our head and make a living. Governments provide police, fire and military services to protect us, our loved ones, our belongings and most importantly – our freedoms. Governments provide us with opportunities for education and services for those in need.
Yes, there are inefficiencies in our government, tons of them. And yes, there are programs we don’t need. And yes, some things are better left to the free market. And yes, government shouldn’t be involved in every nook and cranny of our lives. It is up to us to decide how little or how much we want our government to be involved in our lives.
Our government is not perfect, it never has been — but the ideals that are held in our rights and freedoms are what makes this place so great. We’re lucky that we even have these opportunities available to us — all based on the fact that we live here and are citizens of this nation. And as citizens, we all have a say in what happens on every level of government — be it the city, county, state or national level. Participating in this election is one way of taking your government back, in all its faults. But it’s only one step. There are several elections beyond just this one, so we must continue to participate in our democracy and local communities, because if we don’t then our society will surely epically fail.
Another reason I chose this song is because I recall watching this really kick-ass music video as a child.
The lyrics of this song, though written in 1986 still ring true today. So today I say to you Mr. President Elect and the citizens of the United States…
This is the time
This is the place
So we look for the future
But there’s not much love to go round
Tell me why, this is a land of confusion?
Because…
This is the world we live in
These are the hands we’re given
Use them and let’s start trying
To make is a place worth fighting for
This is the world we live in
And these are the names we’re given
Stand up and let’s start showing
Just where our lives are going to
- Previously on HT: Land of Confusion Series
- Rebirth of Slack: My Own Dewey Defeats Truman?
