I’ve been pondering this question for quite some time, but it took El Somnambulo’s post concerning corrupt judges to drive me to my keyboard. Call it the straw that broke the camel’s back – and this camel is thoroughly disgusted.
Who are we?
I really want to know. I want to know what sort of country barely blinks an eye at the number of its children living in poverty? I want to know what sort of country tolerates the sick being turned away from its hospitals, and thinks it’s acceptable for people to lose their homes because of medical bills? I want to know why discriminating against people who want to marry is labeled as virtuous while speaking out in favor of civil rights is an abomination? And, I want to know why investing in education and the health of our citizens is too expensive, but there always seems to be money for war and new ways of killing people.
Our priorities are effed up. Which is ironic given how often religion permeates our politics. But it’s a convenient religion, isn’t it? One that can only survive if it doesn’t effect the bottom line; one that rarely extends beyond a house of worship’s door. Because, despite all the pontificating and scripture quoting, we sure as hell don’t practice what we preach. What would Jesus do? is nothing more than bumper sticker, and a cheap, political one, at that.
And this is what really ails our country. We don’t function as a nation, and I wonder how long a nation can survive with an every man for himself mentality. Kinda defeats the entire point of living under one flag.
*end of rant.*