Kinky Friedman: “Politics – poly, meaning many. Ticks, meaning blood suckers.”
Something strange has been taking over our great nation. It didn’t just start with this last presidential election. It’s been going on for decades. And our politicians have been fueling the fire – because why not, it gets them elected.
I’m not writing this blog to attempt to heal the nation. I see so many pundits pretending they have the power or the clout to do that. I won’t even suggest that we move on and let it go. It’s not my place and let’s face it, no one has any stroke with you but you. I’m not that important and neither is anyone else claiming to “heal the nation” or “bring us all together.” The only person that can do that is the person looking back at you in the mirror.
In the words of Rodney Allen Rippy, “Can’t we all just get along.”
Politics has become our religion. It’s our everything – our only thing. It takes precedence over almost everything we do. It is all important. It has taken over almost every aspect of our lives. But should it? I don’t think so.
Is your candidate more important than loving and caring for a family member? I say no. Is it more important than keeping your closest friends dear to your heart? I’m pretty sure not. Is it more important than your religion and your true beliefs? Certainly not.
Let’s face it, the candidates running for office are just not the greatest people. You may say they are till you’re blue in the face, but deep down, you know they are all deeply flawed. You know what I do when somebody is elected who I don’t care for? I get up and go to work the next day. I keep loving my family and friends. I carry on. Do I like it? No. But I don’t start crying. I don’t huddle up in the corner and feel sorry for myself. And I don’t ask for a “safe space” or therapy. Oh, sure, I do partake in dog therapy, but they’re my own dogs and I do that every day anyway. Go hug your dog, they’ll make you feel better – about anything.
And frankly, if I hear one more person claim a politician or his advisors are Hitler, I’m going to hurl. Hitler wiped out millions of people in horrific ways. Wiped out entire families. Burnt people alive in ovens. Gassed people in gas chambers. Did medical experiments on people. If someone can’t distinguish between a politician and Hitler, they have a deep rooted problem that really needs to be addressed. Pardon me if I don’t take anything you say seriously when you start effortlessly making Hilter comparisons. Hitler analogies don’t go far with me and they shouldn’t with anyone who has the knowledge of history.
If you don’t like a politician, do your best to replace him or her with someone more to your liking. Continue on with your life. Love your family and friends. Don’t turn your back on them for a politician or politics. I’m not here to heal you. Politician heal thyself and please, you do the same. Oh, and of course hug your dog like you vote: early and often.
A wise man once said: “He who places his faith in a politician is a fool indeed.” Okay, I said it. But one day, I plan to be wise. Do you?
