The Pacific looks calm, especially on this side of the rocks, calm and serene, living up to its name. From this corner of our world, we are happy to soak up this beauty, now and then walking down the bluff to feel the waves and the sand under our feet.
So, it is in politics.
Most of the time we sit perched above the fray, looking out at the beauty that is our life in the protected coves, where rain drips off at the corner of the shelter, where waves rumble down on the shore. We don't see any danger from this roost. We are covered up with enough layers to keep us warm and comfortable for hours on end, days in fact.
Beyond these rocks are issues we must solve with politics: fishing restrictions, habitat protection, water pollution, digging for oil, wave energy, tsunami warning, whale migration, etc...etc...
We are not out of the picture. We are in the picture but silently ignoring many things.
Political engagement is incovenient:
Politics takes time.
Politics takes understanding and researching issues.
Politics takes committment of resources.
Politics makes us stand out.
Politics makes us targets.
Politics can knock us out of the picture.
It's the same with families, actually. Most of the time, staying involved and caring for everyone is incovenient.
Families take time.
Families take understanding and information-needs and circumstances of each member.
Families take committment of resources we might have wanted for ourselves, for fun things.
Families expect us to be visible and engaged, not hidden and absent.
Families can disagree and have rancors toward their members who are not like the rest.
Families can disown us, cross us out from future dealings.
Sure, we say, this makes sense. But, aren't we paying politicians to think for us? To negotiate for us and come back to report ? They will do what is best for us!
Yes, they will, if they hear from us, if we have actually voted for them and keep up with them; if they are not beholden to those fat cats that actually supported their campaigns.
So, don't forget that you have a vote, a mind, a voice.
You have a responsibility to be informed and to make choices.
31 comments:
In the past few months I have gotten behind on news, politics and so on. Catching up again.
It is hard to be involved and so much safer to hide behind the dunes and smell the sweet ocean air.
Very true, for us to have a hand in it. Even more important to make sure we have a variety of information sources to form our ideas.
And, I don't know which is harder - understanding politics or families.
nice. unfortunately too many neglect both the politics and the family...
I just wish they were a fraction as responsive to us as they are to the political action committees and those things.
What a mind you have, Rosaria! You have a way of organizing things, leading us on, making us wonder where you're going with this. And, then, in an economy of words, you make the point and we have our take-home!
Thanks much for today's truth.
I often think that politicians might be just as happy for us to all feel hopeless so that we'll go away and leave them alone to do whatever it is that they want to do--like take money from big industry.
I am guilty of not keeping up with politics - but make special effort to keep in touch with family. I guess there is only so much time.
I love the way you write - I especially love this paragraph
Most of the time we sit perched above the fray, looking out at the beauty that is our life in the protected coves, where rain drips off at the corner of the shelter, where waves rumble down on the shore. We don't see any danger from this roost. We are covered up with enough layers to keep us warm and comfortable for hours on end, days in fact.
Keep on writing my friend :)
Very true.We also need a media that depicts what is going on in a factual rather than melodramatic way, so that we may make informed political decisions.
I find I do much better if I don't wathc Faux News!
This is an important reminder. Our forefathers sacrificed a whole lot for the privilege to vote, yet so many of us hide behind the dunes and don't exercise that right. What would they think of us?
The least we can do is to gather our slumping bodies and go vote. Then we can keep informed although not easy with all the garbage we are fed by the media.
We must look at several sources then filter the real from the false...not an easy task.
Gotta keep the bastards honest. :)
Wow, that was very well said, and all so true.
Enjoyed this.
Fortunately for us we have YOU to keep what's so important front and center in our minds.
voting is compulsary in my corner or the world.
i wonder how that would work for you in the US?
x ribbon
ps... we have power again today and life feels good ;)
The gentle reminder is much appreciated. :-)
Family definitely takes commitment...and I can't say that I'd ever turn back. I love that part of this post.
Hope you are doing well.
one love.
Voting is such a privilege and responsibility! You've nailed it! Great post! ~Janine XO
Well said!
Aloha from Hawaii my Friend!
Comfort Spiral
too right. so many people sit back and complain, although they never make the effort to make themselves heard.
Too right on all counts here Rosaria. We have our general election coming up this summer to elect a new government and apathy rules the way unfortuantely.
I agree with both issues: family and politics. I, of course, am involved in local politics, and do communicate with my state's representatives, at the state and federal levels.
It is important, to voice your perspective in rational conversation, not irrational reaction.
Same with families. Saturday we are embarking on a tiring trek to NC for a funeral. At our age, I am dragging feet, but going, knowing everytime I make such a trip I return home sick with some respiratory condition.
Very well said. If we take our eye off the ball we can't complain when politicians make decisions we don't like. Everyone should be engaged in politics to some extent because it impacts on every area of our lives.
Great post. Have a lovely weekend! :o)
Oh, I loved this. My students are writing persuasive essays this month, then turning them into letters to mail off to elected officials. I believe in starting them young.
Politics, family, and don't forget the community in which you live. Same applies there, too.
And watch out for those "fat cats"; they're everywhere.
Fabulously put.
"But, aren't we paying politicians to think for us? To negotiate for us and come back to report ? They will do what is best for us!"
I always look at it that we hire politicians to do a job for us. They go through a very lengthy interview process, and then we hire them, and we pay them. They work for us. And if we don't do the job we want them to do, we can fire them.
Sometimes politicians forget that fact, and we need to keep reminding them.
Great post!
I meant if "they" don't do the job... I need my morning coffee. *heh*
Just stopping by to say, "hello!" And to see what you are up to! Hoping you are having a wonderful weekend, dear Rosaria! Love, Janine XO
Please check out my blog today and, if you have time to participate, please do.
Carmen
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