Mustang Rambles

Recently while in Washington, DC, the evening after the march I went to a party with friends I had met there. They introduced me to a Senate Staffer who works for a Democratic Senator. She is, of course, a Democrat. In our conversation she startled me with the question, “Why were all you people protesting today?” I was startled because I thought everyone knew, you just had to read the signs. Then I thought that she was really one of those inside the beltway hermits that didn’t understand the outside world, the real world. Then, I got to thinking, maybe she wanted to know if I could express my beliefs coherently, and was not just a flunky out there because someone told me to go. I was caught off-guard and having had a drink or two probably didn’t answer fully. Well, here is my response.

Dear “D”,

Your question caught me unprepared for a full answer. I tend to compartmentalize my life and I was in party mode, not intellectual political discussion mode. But, I have considered the question and feel it requires a full answer. So, without writing a book, here’s an executive summary.

1. Americans DON”T LIKE or TRUST big government. Throughout history, our government has pulled some pretty shady deals and gotten us into more than a few stupid wars. Plus, every time we turn around, someone, usually but not always a Democrat, is trying to raise our taxes to pay for something we don’t want.
2. Americans don’t like government telling us how to live. We are very independent people. We like to make our own choices and live with our own mistakes. We are a people who settled a wilderness mainly by moving away from intrusive government. We don’t “push” well, so don’t push us.
3. Americans don’t like government taking our tax dollars and giving it to the useless people. Here we must make the difference between the truly helpless, and the truly useless. The helpless need help, we accept that. The useless need to pass drug tests before they get their welfare check. The useless also need to know that four generations in welfare does not make a good family history. If you haven’t worked with inner-city, welfare populations, you probably won’t understand our anger at our money being thrown away on folks who could work, but don’t care to.
4. We are an adventurous and a daring people. We don’t like artificial boundaries. Americans like to live life, sometimes on the edge, sometimes in the storm. Our life is exciting, filled with self-inflicted wounds, and generally with a lot of ups and downs. We like living that way. We detest people who tell us we can’t or shouldn’t do something that is perfectly legal. We grow up, we don’t need anyone to take our mothers place.
5. We are individuals who think, not sheeple waiting to be shorn. We have a strong sense of what made this country great. People who start to mess with our traditions are watched and examined very carefully. We will call out those who threaten our constitutional government and our freedoms.
6. Many of us have read and remember “Animal Farm”. Many of us fought in the Cold War. Many watched the rise and fall of Socialism and Fascism around the world. We watch for the indicators that something is going that way. Similarities in political organizations and thought that are antagonistic to our Constitution and our freedom are scrutinized.
7. Americans don’t like fat-cat politicians telling us what we need and how to think. Think about all the perks that Congressmen have voted for themselves over the years; the special restaurants, parking, exercise facilities, retirement after one term, special health benefits, and you probably can list a hundred more. If your boss and the rest of the Congress were truly “of the people” they would not vote themselves all these wonderful perks. They would put themselves in the general health care insurance market, put a 20 year retirement requirement, and stop messing with the military benefits, downgrading them to save money to be spent on Congressional perks. We think that the politicians see themselves as a class far above the poor souls of general population. We think that politicians see themselves as the elite of America, when in reality and in purposeful design of the Constitution, they are just one of the people chosen to represent the people.
8. Americans want and deserve a free and honest press. America does not believe that we can get an honest reporting of events from the mainstream press. We feel that honest journalism, unbiased journalism, went out the window when Cronkite came back from Viet Nam. I know that Hearst and many others weren’t any better than what we have now, but there were good papers out then. When TV hit, we willing gave our trust to the news networks. Unfortunately, they have failed to maintain a balance that gives a fair, factual, and uneditorialized account of events.
9. Americans want and deserve responsive and wise leadership, not party-hacks. Americans believe that as soon as an elected official gets to Washington, his party takes him/her into a back room and explains the facts of life to them. Vote the party line, and we’ll help you get re-elected. Maintain good party loyalty and we’ll let you get some pork and move you up the line for positions in good committees. Vote at your party’s beck and call and soon you’ll be a power in Congress. Buck the party, vote for your constituents, or vote for whatever you think is best for the country and you’ll be gone by the next election.
10. We are tired of being called “racist”! It is a matter of character and politics, form of government, and international leadership, not race! Even President Obama admits it is not race but a difference in opinion over how the government should operate. Seems like every time the Democrats are called on a shaky position and they don’t have a reasonable argument, they just holler “RACISM!” We are beyond that. Sure, there are some racists out there, on both sides, but most Americans are beyond that.
11. We think America is still the greatest country in the world. Americans who defended liberty are buried around the world. Quit apologizing for us! When you look at what we have done over the last hundred years trying to provide freedom for non-American peoples, you should be proud of our country. Anyone who goes around apologizing for us is selling us out and diminishing the sacrifices of our fathers and grandfathers. Sure, the politicians made a mistake or two, but the people’s intentions have been on the high road most of the time. We try hard to make this a better world. Don’t treat us like unruly step-children. We have a lot of patience, but it is not endless. Nov. 2010 is coming and our back is up!
12. Finally, Americans just want to be left alone to live their own lives, run their own businesses, work where they want to work, keep as much money as they can earn, and have some time for recreation. Any government intrusion is resented. We don’t feel the government belongs in business, health care, or our social order. We don’t think the government can do anything well. If we need something to be done, we will take care of it locally or through the state. We believe in the 10th Amendment.

Well, that is a quick look at what I think and hear about the American attitude. We will try to be “green”, and we will try to help others and our community. But, we can do it without a bunch of professional politicians telling us what to do. By the way, when I say “politician”, it in no way equates to “leader”, “statesman”, or “fellow American”. Too often, it equates to “philanderer”, “shyster”, “tax cheat”, “liar”, “sycophant”, and “sheep”. Sad, but true.

Still, Americans have great faith in the institutions set up by the Constitution and with the great prosperity America has achieved through adherence to the Constitution. It is a beautiful document, and those of us who have sworn the uphold it, will never forget or go back on that oath. It should be daily mandatory reading in your office.

I hope this answers your question in part. Each response can be expanded ad infinitum and probably has been by someone lately. If you have more questions, please let me know by commenting on this blog or by relaying it through our mutual friends.

Sincerely,
The Mustang