Since mankind began, there has always been controversy, aggression, wars. Someone always wants what the other guy has. Someone else’s lands are always greener (or has more gold and other resources). Some believe in this deity and others worship another. The bigger, richer aggressor usually wins and often, the losers, if not killed, were enslaved. ALL cultures have done this, starting with tribes warring against other tribes.
As time went on, societies grew, and countries expanded ever farther. The richest, more powerful overthrew the smaller… Oh, they all had their reasons. Their way was always better (in their eyes) than the next guy’s. This ethnic or religious group was better than that one. They’d stop at nothing to take the riches of the less powerful… often in the names of their gods, pharaohs, kings… and even the pope.
And those in power never seem to have enough and go after more and more. It’s just as true in these times. Some things have changed and are different, but the bottom line is the same. And it doesn’t matter which side is the “good guy.” There are always those who want more and are ruthless enough to not care how they get it.
Smoke and Mirrors, Sleight of Hand, False Promises
All cultures have their dark sides. The United States is not immune. Because people will be people. It seems that even those who started out with good intentions, once they come into power, turn into monsters, shoving their beliefs down others’ throats, threatening, fearmongering, and twisting the meaning of words.
In these times, you can’t believe anything being said. Unfortunately, people fall for anything that sounds promising, anything that will make them feel better, anything that gives them hope. The powers-that-be know how to tell the people all the good things people want to hear, while bad mouthing their opponents.
Follow the Money
One saying I hear from time to time and think should be shouted more is: “Follow the money!” Where does the money go? Who gets it? Is it really used for good purposes? How much of that gets syphoned into a few people’s pockets? And should the U.S. be sending billions (yes, billions) of dollars to foreign countries when our own children and veterans are homeless and hungry?
No matter what, someone somewhere must pay. Today, even huge corporations have become their own countries and take over the smaller competitors and heighten their own riches not caring who they stomp on along the way. They fund campaigns of politicians to further their agendas and the politicians become beholden to them and not the citizens they’re supposed to be representing.
I look at how the rich get richer and there are more and more poor people in the world… I’m beginning to believe the everyday taxpayers have become the new slaves. Is it better off to sell your homes, quit your job, go on welfare or disability, and expect others and the government to take care of you? It almost seems that way.
There are many people who struggle to get by, need help. But there are also a lot who have learned to “work the system.” I know people who have truly needed help and have been unable to get it – or it’s a fight all the way – and those who just walk in the door and are given all the “freebies” they ask for, whether they really deserve it or not.
Mental health is a big issue nowadays. All anyone has to do is to proclaim a mental issue and they don’t have to get jobs. Again, this is sad because there are people out there who really do need the help! But now, it seems many people play the mental health card… and it’s even being put on children.
Do the answers resolve around more programs and organizations? (As if more organizations are needed.) And who has the time to really decipher the honest from the dishonest?
I don’t know what the answers are, and I certainly wouldn’t do well on any committee trying to make things better. But from what I’ve seen these past years, I’m having a hard time believing there’s any hope for mankind.
What happened to being proud to have a job (whether you liked it or not, YOU paid your bill, put food on your table, and took care of your family!) Nowadays, it’s seems more people are being rewarded for not working.
Again, what are the answers? There are still many out there who work hard to make an honest living. There are those who “suck it up” every day, no matter how they feel, and do what’s needed to get by. How are they rewarded? By having to pay more taxes!
