TELL ME A STORY

Do you ever imagine that hundreds of years from now people will be reading about us? We're living our story, and it's a real cliff hanger, wouldn't you say? Well, we got there , to the very edge ----brakes squeeling, stock markets teetering, the American people joking about what a sick joke this all was--- congressmen looking ever so important with the weight of the world on their shoulders as they filed past the reporters to announce the long awaited decision---financial  crisis averted for now. Ah, c'mon, you knew it all along, it was just a matter of time, of Obama refusing to deal, then flexing his presidential muscles at Boehner, and finally taunting him and the Republicans into caving to the inevitable It was a circus, a show, a shameless example of our leaders at work and political theatre enough to make you want to gag.  But they got 'er done, and uh,---what exactly was that?? Very little, unless you consider power plays and ideological gamesmanship more important than the actual underwhelming "compromise" hammered out at the 11th hour by none other our favorite uncle,Vice Pres. Joe Biden and John Boehner, the beleagured Republican Speaker of the House . Our story continues, but who's doing the telling?  And are we merely characters in the story, or are we helping to write it??  President Obama is fond of saying he just needs to tell the story better, improve the narrative.
How very patronizing---as if we are merely onlookers, incapable of perception-- and need his spinning tale to be captivated.

What does it say about our president that he had to call in his v.p. to do his last ditch cliff negotiating?   It screams that Obama doesn't negotiate, never had any intention of doing so---he negotiates by not negotiating, because he didn't have to, obviously doesn't know how to, and genuinely doesn't like compromise. He takes on all comers pretty much the same--- petulant and angry if he doesn't get his way, and mean and threatening even as he's winning.  It 's my way of the highway, guys, 'cause I'm right, and not only are you wrong, you are losers. You and your party are going down---the election told me so, I've got the wind at my back, and have no intention of serving down the middle and catering to anyone who disagrees with me---transformational, isn't it? Never did like the two party system---it gets in my way, and then I have to use my excecutive privilege, which is pretty cool, and much less messy. But hey, I'm the main character here, in fact I'm writing much of the story, and I shall do what I please---turn the page.

What you say?  Obama gave a little---yes, he did---he raised his stretch-ey definition of"millionaire" to those making $500,000 a year, instead of $250,000.00 ----but the Republicans sold their souls, caved on he one thing they promised never to do, and got very little in return.  The point is, this was more of a philosphocal fight than a solution, and Obama wins that one, based on sheer numbers of an electorate that was either conned or prefers to believe in a fairy tale. It goes like this--   The rich should pay more, even if it doesn't help all that much---they have much too much, makes us all feel better to take some, gotta help a little, and relieves us of having to tackle the harder issue. The real problem, spending, was hardly debated, let a lone a few entitlements that may not even get enacted.  But on that point, Obama balked, and warned that any further talks re entitlement spending will not sit well with him--- "that's not the way it's going to work"---not only did he sound once again like the  stern patriarch in charge, but he seems unconcerned about spending money till the cows come home as long as it contributes to his idea of re-tailoring this country to his view, which is looking more and more like a welfare state. But never mind---he wins for now. He is a great story teller and has a gift for persuading readers to see things his way---to lull, charm, and believe. The plot thickens---

Now, as people are realizing that their payroll checks are a bit less, due to the fact that Obama did not extend the cut he had instigated in 2010, they are wondering what happened---there wasn't much mention of that during all the cliff talks.  There will surely be more little surprises as Obamacare kicks in. Insurance companies are already raising premium prices. The whole picture is  not looking that much better.  Yes, these things take time, but transformation can happen very quickly under a president that does not value the role of a two party system, balance, and due process of legislation. How much time do we have before we look up one day, and realize that where we were wasn't so bad---and where we are isn't so good.  Already we are hearing that the middle class will surely feel the pain and perhaps the brunt of our economic load---tax the rich more?? That's the fairy tale part---sorry, but when we're spending more than we make, there simply isn't enough to
go around anymore. But never mind, we are moving forward to the next exciting chapter---

 The really big issue of the national debt, its ceiling and whether to raise it looms large and the two sides are squaring off again---- the Republicans demanding that entitlement cuts be part of the final deal, and the president stating unequivocally that will not be the case. Adding fuel to the fire, President O. made his usual TV appearance, using his bully pulpit to shame and bully the Republicans into submission by warning that not to raise the ceiling his way, i.e. without major cuts, will be irresponsible and absurd, never mind that he is responsible for the largest debt increase in history and seems oblivious to addressing our economic free fall---and well, you get it boys,  I'm wearing the white hat, here, and you might as well ride on outta town---don't forget your hats, the black ones. Does this kind of blatant partisanship make anyone else squirm just a little??  What next? An executive order to raise the debt ceiling? It would be nice, even leader- like, and certainly legacy engendering if perhaps just this once President Obama would choose to act as a mediator between two differing philosophies, instead of the benign, but intractable dictator he seems to favor---and to back off just a bit. Sometimes being "right" isn't always the right way to lead--it begets resentment and smacks of assumed omnipotence. Trust me, says the story teller, I was sent here to write big things---go big, or go home is my motto. But does he have to paint everyone else as small???

So what's the answer to our disappearing two party system, our bulwark against the power of one philosophy radically changing the country? It would  be nice if conservatives/Republicans could be counted on to stand firm against the crumbling walls of a once sustainable economy and a country envied far and wide for its opportunity for all who were willing to work for it, and a beacon of freedom. But they won't because they can't---the media/public pressure too great, the fairy tale too seductive, the people too willing, and the price too politically high. No, unless Mr. Boehner and posse become Braveheart and decide to speak their party's truth to power, we are witnessing the dissolution of the Republican party---and more, the possible transformation of our country into a welfare state faster than you can say" constitution". Don't even think about the constitution, says the yarn master---my story is much more relevant to today---follow me, we're almost there.

 Perhaps the GOP must, as some suggest, transform themselves---maybe their story simply doesn't click anymore. The country has turned left, and right isn't right anymore.  But wait!!??---stop the press, the story we're being told, the narrative being spun----could it be possible that we're being more misled than enlightened and progressful? Has the great and clever Democrat machine and the mostly biased media managed to mischaracterize and misconstrue the Republican party's values, done a phenomenal job of telling us a story that is based more on emotion and spin than fact? "Look", as the politicians like to say, look at it clearly, or at least differently,-- could this be a case of mistaken or perverted identity, even in fact, not the real story??

 But meanwhile, as a back story, suppose for a moment that the Republican party in actuality is the one who: Has the  bigger, more inclusive tent, who respects all men/women regardless of  background, lineage, creed or faith, NOT the party who succeeds by keeping people down instead of encouraging them to get up; Promotes self reliance and belief in the individual, so that everyone can find their own strength, NOT the nanny government as a crutch and panacea for all ills; Is not devoid of compassion, but is convinced that a conservative approach to government that exists to help, but not hinder, is truly for the larger good, NOT one which dominates and weakens it's people and its economy by its emphasis on taxes, recipiency and entitlement; They are not all gun crazy enthusiasts and anti-abortionists, BUT they do believe in the second amendment, and the sacredness of life. They are not all Christians, Jews, Muslims, or atheists---they are all those things, and more, BUT they do not mock or disrespect anyone, while pretending to be the party of tolerance. And finally that this is a  party who still believes in the American Dream, where all who wish and work hard can be part of the success story, NOT the seductive fairy tale of an Utopia where everyone has their fair share, but no one has too much---except of course, those in power, the ones who weave the tale of class warfare, they vs. us, and a government  so big and so caring that nobody has to worry about anything---and they all lived happily ever after. End of story.

 Or pick up a different book---Once upon a time there was a country where everyone wanted to live, they came from all over, and all was good for a while, until one day, the country could no longer support everyone or pay its bills, the people began to grumble, the social safety nets began to shred, the taxes, though huge, were no longer enough to sustain the national debt, or supply for all the needs of the public good, the president and congress kept spending, and scolded anyone who disagreed with them, calling them irresponsible and absurd. Not wishing to be thought of as irresponsible and absurd, those who disagreed retreated, thinking they would live to fight another day.  But the other day never came---the country fell into disrepair,  and -----there were much fewer rich people, many more poor people, not enough jobs, poor quality and limited medical care, reduced help for the poor and sick,----the dream had died, and what was left was only a memory of what once was. Until someone, not necessarily a Republican or a Democrat, or even one person--but many  with great vision, wisdom, and courage, one day stood up and said with one voice----enough. This story isn't us, man! Our real story, the one our grandchildren will read about, belongs to all of us, not one party, a president, or even his Vice.  Listen up--we are the story, and we can write our own ending, or our new beginning.  Now is the time----get involved.