Independence
It was easy to be an Independent during the past 8 years
The President wasn't a very good speaker and inspired (very) little confidence, his administration seemed to trip over themselves at nearly every turn, and together they presided over catastrophe after catastrophe. But they were not alone. Paired with an ignorant or ineffectual Congress for both terms (regardless of political make-up), the nominally accepted bipolar political parties moved farther and farther apart. The rhetoric began to sear into the permanent areas of my brain. I eventually defaulted to abject horror when subjected to seeing any national politician on television.
As the media began to lean on Former President Bush (and yes, it is nice to say that...I will eventually provide some defense for this beleaguered sin-eater), I eventually rejected their facile condemnations and constant barrages. Often I push against conventional wisdom until I find a place I can be happy with it, and suspect many do the same. Conventional wisdom decided Fmr President Bush (FPB, I'll never type that out again) was the worst president EVER, and this was/is our worst crisis EVER, and time will tell. I'm happy to say good riddance, but not ashamed to say that I wish he and his family well. I own up to my part of the sins of the country, and do not merely thrust them upon him and walk away. But I'll save any understanding or consideration of the Bush presidency for another time. At it stands, it is a failure.
So lets get to my "point". Yesterday was a swirling conflict of emotions for me. Being independent is nice. Instead of a single political party to deride, you are blessed with two. By removing your affiliation, you enable yourself to navigate the good and the bad of both partisan prisms; to be your own person, so to speak. This does not come without price. And it came due on a momentous day.
I happened upon the simplest analogy ever late last night. Being politically independent is like being unable to love. There was such passion and energy yesterday, such rampant enthusiasm...it was new love. It was a requited crush writ impossibly large.
And it certainly stirred in me, and swept me up often (and rightly so), before my hard heart yanked me earthward, time and again. It was not the crowd that fueled me. I thrilled at the outpouring of patriotism and yearning, for certain, though I do wonder at the permanence of it, the commitment towards it.
So I don't get to revel in the day with the same fervor as my friends on the left. It is a bit sad being left out; all the more because I think their joy towards the new President is justified. I'll share my thoughts on the new President (as if anyone cares...everyone has an opinion, and most are similar). But perhaps the engine of my enthusiasm for him will be intriguing!
The President wasn't a very good speaker and inspired (very) little confidence, his administration seemed to trip over themselves at nearly every turn, and together they presided over catastrophe after catastrophe. But they were not alone. Paired with an ignorant or ineffectual Congress for both terms (regardless of political make-up), the nominally accepted bipolar political parties moved farther and farther apart. The rhetoric began to sear into the permanent areas of my brain. I eventually defaulted to abject horror when subjected to seeing any national politician on television.
As the media began to lean on Former President Bush (and yes, it is nice to say that...I will eventually provide some defense for this beleaguered sin-eater), I eventually rejected their facile condemnations and constant barrages. Often I push against conventional wisdom until I find a place I can be happy with it, and suspect many do the same. Conventional wisdom decided Fmr President Bush (FPB, I'll never type that out again) was the worst president EVER, and this was/is our worst crisis EVER, and time will tell. I'm happy to say good riddance, but not ashamed to say that I wish he and his family well. I own up to my part of the sins of the country, and do not merely thrust them upon him and walk away. But I'll save any understanding or consideration of the Bush presidency for another time. At it stands, it is a failure.
So lets get to my "point". Yesterday was a swirling conflict of emotions for me. Being independent is nice. Instead of a single political party to deride, you are blessed with two. By removing your affiliation, you enable yourself to navigate the good and the bad of both partisan prisms; to be your own person, so to speak. This does not come without price. And it came due on a momentous day.
I happened upon the simplest analogy ever late last night. Being politically independent is like being unable to love. There was such passion and energy yesterday, such rampant enthusiasm...it was new love. It was a requited crush writ impossibly large.
And it certainly stirred in me, and swept me up often (and rightly so), before my hard heart yanked me earthward, time and again. It was not the crowd that fueled me. I thrilled at the outpouring of patriotism and yearning, for certain, though I do wonder at the permanence of it, the commitment towards it.
So I don't get to revel in the day with the same fervor as my friends on the left. It is a bit sad being left out; all the more because I think their joy towards the new President is justified. I'll share my thoughts on the new President (as if anyone cares...everyone has an opinion, and most are similar). But perhaps the engine of my enthusiasm for him will be intriguing!
posted by Chuck | 11:20 AM
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