Stupid Americans

Jim here.

Before I get into this, I must honestly confess to being as guilty as anyone else for the current conditions that exist in the United States of America. Rather than realizing and promoting the massive changes that were so obviously necessary long ago to correct the problem, I continued to be a willing participant in the so called "democratic" process, which has proven itself to be nothing more than an elaborate scam designed to enhance the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the working/producing middle class to the point that the division which is now reality between the rich and poor is deplorable -- even dangerous.

What was once considered the "American dream" -- that being if one worshiped devoutly at the alter of capitalism and worked hard and lived frugally, one could enjoy the successes of "Americanism" (no definition given) to the fullest. This may have been true once upon a time, but somewhere along the way, the playing field was purposely slanted by those who had already acquired power and wealth and were unwilling to relinquish it and this was quietly and effectively accomplished by altering the purpose and methods of government.

At the very core, supposedly, of the "democratic" process is the vote. One person, one vote. You get to chose who you want to be in charge of representing you as far as the rules (laws) go. Right? Think again.

Winston Churchill's famous quote comes to mind: "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."

By astutely relying on our collective stupidity, one moron/lackey/stooge after another moron/lackey/stooge has been elected to positions of political importance by behind the scenes goons whose money and propaganda has influenced us into doing their bidding, all the while feeling good about ourselves because we were doing our "democratic" duty. Usually, in this day and age, you get to chose either a Republican or a Democrat -- you do have that choice -- but what you're not supposed to understand is that your choices have already been bought and paid for long ago by those who manipulate the system to their individual advantages. Defense contractors, Wall Street brokers, religious entities, mega banks, a myriad of corporations, you name it, if it has an interest in governmental affairs, you can rest assured that it has politicians in place and on the payroll.

Our collective failure and stupidity, as it were, rests in the fact that we elect these clowns, over and over, based largely on the lies that we're gullible enough to believe because we soooo much want to believe in the system itself. I mean, we're talking about the legacy of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, all those guys that we've deified. After all, they cooked up this gig and it's the best thing since sliced bread, right?

Well, it might have been once, a long time ago, but it is no longer.

We put people into powerful positions because they have nice hair, a pretty wife (or handsome husband), or more absurdly, because of 30 second advertising blurbs that are the ultimate in bullshit. We vote for so-and-so because someone else tells us to and like sheep who don't want to put forth any effort toward understanding the consequences of our actions, we pull that lever because ..... well, just because we can. Because we're stupid.

For example, the State of South Carolina just elected Mark Sanford to the U.S. House of Representatives. This is the same former Governor Mark Sanford who was banished from office for using public funds to secretly court his mistress in Argentina (plane tickets, hotel and dining expenses, gifts, etc) while blatantly lying to the public, (and his wife) claiming that he was "hiking the Appalachian Trail" while in actuality he was boning in Buenos Aires. With a track record that equates him to something akin to pond scum, the wonderful people of S.C. have blessed the nation by sending this moron to Congress. I'm sure he'll be a wonderful example of how effective government should function. Makes me proud to call myself a "murican."

I also read where Anthony Weiner, the ex-Congressman from New York who was forced from office because he was texting photos of his dick to certain constituents, is well on his way to being elected Mayor of New York City. Just what the Big Apple needs: Another pervert. Stupidity in the first degree.

Closer to my old home, Tennessee returned Scott DesJarlais to the U.S. House of Representative last year. This is the same medical doctor who was banging some of his patients, (part of their treatment plan, I suppose) some of whom turned up pregnant and were coerced into abortions while the good doctor claimed to be a "right to life" proponent to his constituents. A true blue hypocrite of the first order and yet, the good citizens of the Volunteer State saw fit to keep this guy in Congress to make rules for the rest of us. Now, how stupid is that? Tennessee also sent Stephen Fincher, a slimy unindicted thief from Memphis who claims to be a farmer and receives massive federal farm subsidies but is never seen out of his Brooks Brothers suits, to Congress. There seems to be no end to the stupidity exhibited by the American voting public.

Here's another anomaly in the "democratic" process that has developed down through the ages that relies heavily on our collective stupidity: Lobbyists. Think about it. You elect Joe Blow to office. Your vote put him there. His allegiance is supposed to be to you. But just as soon as Joe grabs that seat behind his new desk on Capitol Hill, he's besieged by these representatives of special interests who shower him with money, sex and drugs in return for favorable legislation, and your interests as the mere voter are forever lost in the under the counter payoffs. That is, until re-election time rolls around and you're fed a heavy diet of bullshit and deceit, enough apparently that you're convinced that Joe really is the God sent savior that you knew he was all along and you vote for him again, never mind that he's now facing several federal indictments for receiving illegal payments. Stupid.

But the stupidity really manifests itself in the fact that we continue to believe and participate in the "system," in spite of the overwhelming evidence that the "system" has been corrupted beyond salvation and needs to be scraped in favor of something that is responsive to the basic citizen. That is what the 'Founding Fathers' had in mind, not this current abomination that has evolved because of the greed of a small minority of assholes who value money over human life and are able to wield undue influence in what we now call government.

Here's what I propose: Starting at the very bottom with a clear definition of what we believe government should be, let's design and develop something better. It might be a return to the principles put forth by Washington, Jefferson and that bunch or it might be something entirely new based on the technological advances that have been developed in our very recent history or it could be a combination of both or something else altogether. Whatever.

Your ideas and opinions are encouraged and welcome. Please use this forum to express your thoughts so that, maybe, something beneficial for all of us is, after all, within grasp. Because to do nothing is .... well, stupid.

FRIENDS

Jim here -- The previous entry to this blog dealt with our current living quarters. Being able to live in this particularly remarkable spot -- our little jungle right here in the middle of town -- is but one of the many pleasant aspects of our Nicaraguan experience.

What we've neglected to mention in our past posts is an even more pleasant aspect of living here, that being the diversity of the friends that we've made. They've come from everywhere, it seems, to this ancient city by the shores of Lake Cocibolca, the tenth largest inland lake on the planet.

Off the top of my head, I can think of folks here from South Africa, France, England, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands, Brazil, numerous U.S. states and, or course, the local Nicaraguans who delight us with their company practically on a daily basis.

They have welcomed us with open arms for the most part and have made us part of this unique community for the past two and a half years. About once a month, someone will usually host a get-together of some sort -- movies, games, whatever -- and they always involve a feast and good conversation. These are people who have been places, seen and done things, and have stories to tell.

Neither Bubba, nor Junior lives here, at least not that we know of. I have yet to have anyone ask me how big was the buck that I shot last weekend, chewing tobacco is non-existent and folks have most of their teeth, even the old ones.

This is in no way meant to be demeaning of the multitude of friends we have back in the States. In my case, many of these are mentally handicapped musicians who will always be near and dear to my heart. Luckily, some of them are literate enough to be able to navigate FaceBook so that we can stay in touch and those who aren't at least are not in jail. That I'm aware of, that is. As to when will we see these folks again is largely up to them. They know where we are and we have no immediate intentions of heading back there any time soon. Better they come here if they would but only understand that.

So, Carol is about to book it over to Miguel's today, our Nicaraguan buddy who was trained in Okinawa and practices shiatsu massage and is adored here by everyone upon whom he places his therapeutic fingers. Most likely, when she gets there, he will be kneeling on his table with his hands together in some kind of Far Eastern prayer with sitar music going in the background and a big smile on his face. For an hour of bliss, he charges 300 cordobas, or the equivalent, at today's exchange rate, of $12.30.

I even let him get away with calling her "Sweetie." He's just that way.

So is everyone else around here, it seems.