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| Joe Bakewell. |
THE GREAT FOG
Out
entire nation seems to be caught up in the moment. Most of us believe that we
understand what’s wrong and what to do about it. Most important, assigning
blame. Any confusion is quickly cleared up by paying attention to our
favorite source(s) of information.
Not
everyone is involved of course; many have dropped out, only paying attention to
some particularly egregious, scandal.
The
result of all this is a divided population wherein no one mentions or gives
serious thought to our country’s most serious problems.
Our
politicians like it this way; they’re getting elected, reelected, and rich.
THE BOX
Imagine
a box. The four sides, the bottom, the top, and contents are defined by our
politicians and media. Inside the box, we find, first and foremost, Donald
Trump and Putin along with Mueller, the FBI, immigrant children, and other
issues that make our blood boil and which lead to heated, divisive, arguments.
Our
politicians seem to be saying that these issues need to be resolved, or, as we
see in the case of Trump, eliminated before we can expect effective governance.
Donate and vote.
But
what about issues outside the box?
I’ll
take two to illustrate an important distinction. First: ethanol. The ethanol
mandate was the product of special interest payola in the first place. It’s
been shown to be bad for the environment, for cars, and especially small
engines (your lawnmower and snowblower). Why are we even thinking about keeping
it?
The
cost of health care: Obama care, the cost of drugs, and fraud are all inside
the box. The gross cost of health care and poor results are outside the box.
We’re spending at least twice what’s needed, and should have better results.
Where’s
the money going? Much of it is straight payola; bought and payed for by special
interests. The rest is mandated inefficiencies. “Hey, it’s jobs, man.”
Tired
of being led around by the nose? Get out of the box. Turn off the TV. Ignore
what passes for ‘news’. Pay attention to what has already happened, or has not.
Think for yourself.
Joe Bakewell.
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