Stop Pulling the Wagon

 

No Adults….No Rules….No Mercy

Lord of the Flies – William Golding 1954

For so many years I have been a current events and political “junkie”.

As I reflect on the fact that statistically I am in my “late” years I have come more and more to ponder on what I really want to do with what time is left to me.

Recently I have become more and more troubled by the obvious “Lord of the Flies” game going on in our nations Capitol.  No Adults….No Rules….No Mercy

In so many ways our government has become no more than a poorly run criminal enterprise.  Don’t you think if you had the ability to steal (by way of taxation) at every level from every person in the country you could at least figure out a way to “break even”.  This bunch can’t even do that.  Our children and grandchildren are inheriting a 27 Trillion Dollars (and growing) debt.  A debt that eventually can only be paid off through massive and crushing inflation and misery.  Hello Venezuela.

If the above is not enough to bring one to apoplexy, I live in California, a state lying in financial ruins due to mismanagement, fraud, waste and corruption.  The latest example being that California has recently discovered that it paid out 31 Billion (or more) dollars in fraudulent unemployment claims to prisoners and other criminals.  The money is gone, “poof”.  Money that could have provided homes for the states exploding homeless population or paving for its statewide crumbling highways or….?  Instead California is going “hat in hand” to a “bankrupt” Federal Government to bail the state out.

Many days I have become so angry at what is happening that I have let it steal the happiness and joys that remain to me.

One day my beloved daughter challenged me to just not listen to or watch the media news for a week.  She said all it does is make you mad and you can’t “fix it”. I took her up on the challenge and found myself in a better mood and frame of mind.  Now as I work at my computer (or whatever) I listen to the music I love instead of the 24/7 news cycle.

Being a slow learner it has taken some time but I have come to realize that I am much happier when I focus on the really important “stuff” in my life.  Faith, Family (my beautiful wife and daughter) and Friends;  all are the things that really matter to me.

There is an old story about a wise old Native American talking to his grandson.  He tells him that each of us have two wolves at war inside of us trying to devour us.  One wolf is named Hate and one wolf is named Love.  When his grandson asks him which wolf wins, the old man tells the boy simply….  “The one you feed”.

I must say that I am still saddened by what is being done to the country I love and grew up in because of the antics of the Clowns, Criminals and Lunatics that seem hell bent on destroying our values and bankrupting the country in the process.  But, the reality is that I can’t fix it, no matter how much I truly want to.  Even the sacred ballot box seems to have been terminally corrupted.

I have reached a crossroads where I can either spend the rest of my life p*ss*d off most of the time or try to spread a little goodwill, assistance, love and cheer wherever I can.

Like I said, I am a slow learner.  God give me the wisdom to focus my efforts where I might still do some good.

Bob Bandy  February 2021

 

 

Regular Readers of my columns know that I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican.  Many think I am a Libertarian and there is much that I share with the Libertarian view but I do not identify with them either.

I am old enough that I can say I was a Kennedy Democrat though in truth I don’t think John F. Kennedy would recognize the Democratic Party of today.

Later I became disenchanted with the Democratic Party and became a Reagan Republican for a number of years.

Still later I became disappointed with the spinelessness of most of the Republican Party and became “not affiliated” with any party.

Both Political Parties have their share of a small number of “good” people who sincerely want what is best (in their minds) for the country and a much larger number who only seek power, wealth and some form of immortality in the footnotes of history.

I have many good friends in both parties that I respect and like even though we may strongly disagree on important issues.  This article is not about them.

Within the Republican Party there are many whom I consider politically and morally “Bi-Polar” in that they can’t adhere to their supposed value system if it will make them unpopular with the media or interferes with their personal goals of wealth and power.

Within the Democratic Party there has come to be a more sinister element that seems to have wedded itself to the “Dark Side of the Force” with an agenda of destruction of what this country was originally founded on.

If one looks at any of the Red/Blue Political Maps of the country it seems apparent that the so-called “Red” zones are in area much larger, more sparsely populated with those parts of the country in general more responsibly governed fiscally and contributing a greater share in productivity of goods and services producing a solid foundation of taxes.  For purposes of this essay I will call them “Tax Cows”.

The “Blue” zones are much more focused in large urban areas.  Many, many of these corrupt, inefficient, large, densely populated urban areas are run by so called “Liberal” politicians and have become infested with consumers of what the “Tax Cows” produce.  Often they are overly populated by “non-producers”, either receivers of government handouts or overpaid bureaucrats whose main job is doling out other peoples tax money to non-productive citizens, by which I mean those who could, but do not work at something productive.  Sometimes referred to as those who feed at the government trough.

This “Dark Side” of the so-called Democratic Party has one agenda.  That is to “milk” the “Tax Cows” and ship that “Tax Milk” from the more sparsely voter populated  countryside where it is produced to more heavily voter populated non productive inner cities where much of the Tax Dollars are wasted on sound good, feel good programs that only make the citizens more addicted to the public dole and less able to care for themselves.  The receivers of this “free money” largess seem to believe the lie that the Democratic Party is somehow the “Mama Milk Tax Cow” and vote for the Democrats in misguided loyalty.  If one tries to point out that the tax dollars are not producing the desired result, one is labeled as “not caring”, “heartless” or any number of other punitive adjectives and told that “we” just have not spent enough but with ever more “Tax Milk” it will all work out.  This is how a city like Seattle can spend a “Billion Tax Milk Dollars” on homelessness and only make the problem worse.

At some point this “Tax Milk” transfer produces social collapse with collateral crime, drugs and hopelessness.  The city lies in ruins with lots of finger pointing and no solutions.  Whatever few producers/tax payers are left that have the ability to leave “Beat feet for the tall grass” and look for peace, order and fiscal discipline elsewhere.  As an example this is why California and New York are hemorrhaging citizens relocating to states like Florida and Texas.   The city then ends up with increasing filth and debris as well as sickness and death.  If you doubt me, visit some of the cities this is happening to right now.  New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Baltimore etc. etc. etc.

Those in charge on the “Dark Side” don’t really care because they are part of the ruling class and protected from the chaos and misery they have helped create.

George Soros and other American haters win and you end up with a “Banana Republic” led by corruption, lies, waste and greed.

Sad to say, the warnings of many of our nations founders seem to have gone unheeded and are coming to pass.

Bob Bandy – January 2021

 

 photo by Bob Bandy

End of the Trail by James Earle Fraser

WHEN PEOPLE FIND OUT THEY CAN VOTE THEMSELVES MONEY, THAT WILL BE THE END OF THE REPUBLIC – Benjamin Franklin

What Benjamin Franklin, and other early writers, saw was a potential weakness in the  Republic as founded that would allow Congress to prostitute itself  by rewarding those who would vote for them with funds from the public Treasury.  In other words, voters can vote money from the Treasury into their own pocket by simply voting for the “right” members of Congress.  (Voting – Achilles Heel of Democracy?  Jan. 2019 – SPTW)

***************************************

ARE WE THERE YET?

As I approach the end of my own trail I am reminded that I should have acquired some perspective and sound reasoning along that trail.

At this time, The United States as I have known and cherished since childhood, hangs on the ragged edge of oblivion and becoming a relic in the dustbin of history.

It appears to me now that we have sold our Birthright of Freedom for a bowl of lentil stew just as Esau sold his Firstborn Birthright to Jacob.  Genesis 25:29-34.

With this just held election, if one is to trust the voting results (count me out), a majority of voters seem to have succumbed to the siren call of a Socialist promised Utopia.

History seems to have purged itself of the fact that every time this has been tried in the past it has failed and the great unwashed masses end up being enslaved to a chosen few small ruling class that governs by force.  Cuba, Venezuela, USSR, etc. etc.

With the Mainstream Media, Academia, Hollywood Left, “Big Tech” (Google, Facebook, Twitter etc.) and various “Deep State” Government Agencies firmly in control of censorship and allowing you only to read and hear what they deem as correct, George Orwell’s 1984 Big Brother is becoming firmly entrenched, just some 36 years later than he predicted.

Another weapon being used is so-called “Political Correctness” and “Social Justice” being implemented under use and threat of violence.  “Accept what we demand or we will burn your cities then move out to your suburbs with demands you comply”.  Scary stuff to most citizens.

I am long past just being concerned about what is coming.  The “Radical Left” is in the process of closing all the doors to Freedom that this country was founded on. 

In just the last couple of days, Charles Schumer – New York Senator – said “Give us two more Senators and we will change America”.  Those two Senate Seats are hanging in the balance in Georgia in a run-off election in January.

Those who still believe in Freedom as spelled out in our Constitution need to rally together with the slim hope it can still be salvaged. 

Are you scared yet or do you want to welcome a Socialist States of America?

Bob Bandy – November 2020

 

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted virtually everyone’s life, some in more ways than others, but all of us.

In one positive way I am reminded of the period following the attack on 9-11-01.

If any good came from the terror and tragedy of that horrible day it was that we experienced a coming together in America that was unique in my adult lifetime.

In the face of a common enemy we found a common purpose and good.

We united as a nation, as a people and as Americans. Color did not matter. Social standing lost it’s importance. Politics was forgotten – at least for a time. Neighbors joined with neighbors. There was an air of courtesy and acceptance of each other despite whatever differences we might of had before the event.

As Americans we joined hands and hearts in sorrow and in pride and celebrated our common love of country and each other.

In a similar way I have sensed some measure of that time in the current test being presented by a different adversary – this Coranavirus COVID-19.

Despite the shortages at our local supermarkets and the need, even requirement for social distancing, I am noticing more courtesy, patience and even friendly smiles among shoppers.

For the most part, we as individuals, seem to have put political disagreement and name calling on the shelf, at least for now. Many national political leaders who are generally bitter foes have demonstrated a softening of tone and been able to co-operate for the general benefit of all . Even if temporary, it’s a relief from the seeming constant drumbeat of political infighting we have come to expect. A welcome relief with perhaps just a glimmer of hope for the future.

In our area we have our own social Neighborhood Network where we communicate and share with folks in our immediate area. (I am told the Nextdoor.com app is available nationwide). What I am seeing happen makes me proud and has strengthened my faith in others. I see postings offering help to those in need. Offers to run an errand for a shut-in, help with a chore, shopping, even a package of toilet paper at a time when the stores are all completely out.

I don’t see people offering to help if you are a fellow Democrat or a fellow Republican or a fellow whatever. Just neighbors willing to help neighbors without conditions. It is a wonderful thing and makes me proud to be one of those neighbors.

This Virus “thing” shows no favorites and my greatest wish is that we could all carry on indefinitely this common goodwill feeling after this virus is finally controlled or better, history.

If you have the same desire, please share that feeling with others. I believe we would all be richer as a people if we did so.

Bob Bandy – April 2020

DEAR DIARY

A New Year – Time for Reflection and Anticipation

I often joke that the only New Years Resolution I ever kept was the year I made a resolution not to make any resolutions.

I am older now and my “Looking Back” is no longer at the immediate year past but a panorama of decades past. Some changes in the years past were giant leaps forward, like Landing on the Moon, while other changes, like the development of Social Media, which may have appeared almost as a passing “fad”, have had a profound impact on the fabric of our society.

Not everything that has changed can clearly be labeled as “good” or “bad”. In many cases the full effects will not be known for generations. “The jury is still out.” When the “Great Society” and Welfare State was first introduced in the 1960’s I was excited and happy that we were going to eliminate poverty permanently, however, poverty is in many ways a bigger problem today than when we began the program some 50 years and 20 Trillion Dollars ago, and, the unintended consequences produced great harm to the family structure in millions of households.

The author, Thomas Wolfe, wrote the great novel “You Can’t Go Home Again” and what he had to say can certainly apply to the world we grew up in and is gone forever.

To perhaps most of my generation, we now find that many of the values we were taught, grew up with and have cherished have seemingly been lost forever or are in the process of being destroyed.

Some Examples:

Personal Integrity seems to be on an “Endangered Species” list in too many areas of daily life. I grew up with “Your Word Is Your Bond” and it meant more than any written document. My own father taught me when I was a youth that “You can’t be just a little bit dishonest any more than you can be a little bit pregnant”. Today it seems we live in a world of “weasel words” and “escape clauses”.

Credibility is becoming a rare and precious commodity. Many of our political leaders are habitual liars and are on my “Lie to me once, lie to me twice” list and I no longer believe anything they say. I do not trust most of what I hear and read in the media. They have become little more than a propaganda machine for the “Ruling Class”. The same can be applied to many advertisers of popular products.

Freedom of Speech – a Constitutionally Guaranteed Right. We have devolved into a culture of “victims” where spoken or written words, no matter how innocent in intent and nature, are twisted into “hate speech” or various “phobic” attitudes where none was intended. One lives in fear of being labeled a “hater” from a misunderstood word or phrase. Add to this list the “Indoctrination Centers”, our Schools, Universities and Colleges, that we used to think of as “Citadels of Higher Leaning” and where freedom of thought and speech is often no longer encouraged or allowed.

Respect for the Sanctity of Life – all lives matter. Our modern society seems to value the immediate desire of the individual over the life of another living being, no matter how innocent or defenseless. “Me” becomes the focal point of life rather than right to life itself for the unwanted. In too many cases overlooked is the part “me” can play in the greater good of family, community and the future of all.

Political Correctness. A toxic brew that has poisoned our society and taken away the precious Constitutional Right of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the press. Politicians, Ministers, Business Owners, virtually everyone who must deal with the “public” must monitor every word for fear of alienating some “protected” minority or politically powerful group who can destroy their life, livelihood or career with catastrophic media destruction and/or litigation and financial destruction.

A Personal Moral Code. Usually founded on, or associated with some kind of discipline or religious belief or training. The Ten Commandments are one of the best known examples and one I try to live by. Some things are always right or wrong. Doing good is always “right”. Killing, lying and stealing are always “wrong”.

There is more. I believe we all should think about it and not just sit on the sidelines and let our culture and society degenerate into some kind of “Mad Max” future.

So what does this New Year and New Decade bring? Where are we headed and what am I going to do with it?

Bob Bandy – January 2020

“Mad Max” -1979 – Mel Gibson – Australia – Kennedy Miller Production