For a pocketful of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jests
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
Forgive me for changing two words.
In just a little more than four months, we as a nation will go to the polls and cast a vote for the most powerful office in the nation, and arguably the world. Not only that, but we are voting for those that will be our voice in government, from the city council, to the state house and senate, all the way to Washington DC.
However, we are doing so as the lest educated body of voters in the history of our nation. And in discussing this lack with many people over the years, far too many are proud of their lack of education. Too many see no problem with the statement of one voter saying, “Now I don’t have to pay for my gas, or pay my mortgage.” This statement, expressed by one, and agreed with by many, should scare everyone to their core.
When asked what kind of government we have, most will respond with “a democracy,” then when it is pointed out we are not, they become angry, and argue the point. More than a few start calling you names, and swear at you.
I blame our schools; we are more interested in feeding egos than feeding minds. I worked with people, that had no writing skills, could not speak English properly, and could not perform simple grade school math. It is sad, that someone here for just three years, speaks better, grammatical English, that most born and educated here.
But they know about the warts, the growing pains, and mistakes of our past. Out of context of course, but for them context means nothing. Well not entirely. If they make a mistake it is never their fault. You see we have to understand their past, their trials and tribulations. But the people that founded our nation? No such consideration.
Ask the average citizen these questions;
Why did the British march on Lexington and Concord?
What is the purpose of the Constitution?
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
Where in the Constitution is the phrase “separation of church and state.”
Who wrote the 2nd Amendment, and what did he say about who the Militia is?
Who attempted in the 2nd Continental Congress, to end slavery, then attempted to, the House of Burgess, and again as POTUS?
Why could he not just free his slaves?
Who was Simon Legree, and why should we care?
Where is Appomattox, and what event took place there?
My great, great, great grandfather served in the Civil War with the 8th Maine. He was at Appomattox with General Grant, and President Lincoln when Lee surrendered, ending the Civil War. I was showing someone his picture, and remarked about him being a part of this event. The response was “Where is Appomattox and who was Lee?”
I should not be surprised, too many people don’t know who won the Civil War, so knowing who was, involved, and where it ended is just a natural extension of the ignorance of our past. Far too many people think the Confederate Battle Flag was the flag of the Confederate States. That is a wart being taught in schools which is not true. But “My prof said so, so it must be right.” Or worse, “Brian Williams said so, last night on the news.”
But here we are, our lack of knowing something as fundamental as our form of government, and how it came about, is about to rip us to shreds. We are in an election year, with a choice between a Congenital Serial Liar looking at the crime of treason, or a man with huge sums of money and even more of an ego. Okay the money doesn’t bother me. He did the work, so it is his. But his ego is a tad bit scary.
But his opponent? His opponent terrifies me. How have we as a nation become so self-absorbed, so demanding of the fruits and labors of others, so completely off the rails stupid, that our choice boils down these two?
Know this, when the preverbal stuff hits the fan, it is we the voters that are to blame. We have been sold Snake Oil, and the wagon it came in. Not because the con artist was that good, but because we are too lazy to educate ourselves, and because it is too easy to believe in the make believe fantasy, that we can take from others, the things we are too lazy to get for ourselves.
We an ignorant nation flying straight toward stupid, asking not what we can do for our country, but, demanding what our country can steal from our brothers and sisters for us.
I leave as I started. All I ask is that you, dear reader, take the time to read the verse, and pray for understanding.
We have squandered our resistance
For a pocketful of mumbles
Such are promises
All lies and jests
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest