Friday, November 3, 2017

THE RETURN OF DIOGENES

     For those who do not remember from the classics, Diogenes is the man with a lantern who wanders the earth seeking an honorable, honest person. Needless to say, the search is not very fruitful. Wonder what he would say to that quest in the times we live in. Wonder if he would give up the search in total frustration.
     Is there anyone untouched by the greed, by the incessant grasping for power, by the sheer betrayal of all that we are supposed to hold and cherish, of the traitors to America who rant and rave about patriotism? All those who have taken the song "Proud to be an American" and roar it to the winds are the very same people who either have betrayed their country or are accepting of those who have and chief among the betrayers is the president. Over half of Americans believe that Trump has committed  criminal offense in regard to this Russian tie and almost half, 49%, believe that Mueller is doing a good job.
     Sessions lied about knowledge of the Russian tie and so did Trump as it turns out he was right there at the meeting and was amenable to the suggestion. Sessions said no and to shut up about it - obstructing the truth as it should have been reported as an attempt by Russia to interfere with our election. But they shut up, hoping that lies and more lies would do the trick.
     “No,” Mr. Trump said. “Nobody that I know of. Nobody.”
     This was his response when asked if he or anyone he knew had knowledge of this whole event. Lying thru his teeth he was and is! This, the man who tweeted away, telling lies, passing on false stories and not our valid president!!
     And yet on he goes, trying to put yet another one over on the American people, trying to pass his welfare for the wealthy tax plan, where deductions useful to the middle class are eliminated or drastically cut. Corporate taxes? Oh, yes, and why this will supposedly make them eager to invest new funds is beyond me as this was tried by Reagan and bombed, was just tried in Kansas and they had to impose major taxes now to make up for the loss of revenue needed to carry out the responsibilities of the state, and in any case, the corporate treasuries are at their highest point now and anyone see a golden trail of investments or raised wages? Nope. Didn't think so.
     Where is honesty here? Where are the public servants of yesteryear who even in their greed and search for power still knew that they had to serve the people and not themselves. Today both parties are affected by this creeping rash of greed but at least the Democrats have more connection to what is needed and what must be done, what must be fought. The Republicans have lost their way and there are tears on Lincoln's face in his memorial as he sits and ponders how his Party and how his country, this magnificent Union that he fought so hard to maintain, how it has all fallen apart and gone so astray.
     I believe that never before have we been in such dire straits as a country, as a people. We have forgotten our roots in immigration and immigrants. We have refused to adjust to a new world. We have gone around threatening and blustering, playing a dangerous game of chicken with North Korea. We have allowed divisiveness to spread and allowed new explosions and infestations of prejudice and hatred to grow.
     So on Diogenes goes, lighting and relighting his lantern, seeking, seeking, the honest people, seeking the honest and honorable leaders. What we need is reason, faith, trust, honor, true patriotism, generous hearts, an understanding of the true responsibilities of positions held.
     It is getting harder and harder to find these people, be it here in America or out there in the Ukraine, or France or Britain or just pick a country. Abraham searched in vain for enough good people to save Sodom and Gomorrah. Will we be in a comparable situation? You tell me.

No comments:

Post a Comment