The Arrogance of Government

There's a new government in town. Some seem unhappy about it. The election was not a coup d'etat. The new president won in an unprecedented landslide victory, in a democratic election, in the United States of America - the greatest show on earth.

Having 'peacefully' taken the oath of office as the 45^th president of the United States of America, President Donald Trump is here to stay, for at least 4 years. He is an unusual person in everything he does. During his campaign, he said things that were better left unsaid, perhaps. History cannot be changed. But he made promises. We heard it all. Social media was everywhere. He became its showman. I wondered how Roosevelt, Eisenhower, JFK, would have fared had the glorious web existed back then, hounding their every move. Things were very quiet back then. We had busy lives to lead.

The American people were reminded to vote for the candidate who would do what was in their best interests. And so they did. Government needed to change. For some, President Trump was an unlikeable sort. An election is not a popularity contest, however. There was much work to be done. Being in charge is never easy. (Ask any parent) The desire to please is not always possible. Mr. Trump's platform, to restore honesty and integrity in government, at a 'fair and equitable' price, in making the country great again, was a constant refrain. He began his governance, under a dark cloud, facing a plethora of dire issues, opinions, and people to 'command'.

President Trump had been elected to power with a resounding electoral vote as the head of state of the most powerful country on earth. Voting lineups, in all states, were very long, unlike anything before. As I watched the news media, its subjective, objective? interpretation of the election began. Few media outlets supported his views and the promises the president made, yet millions of American citizens thought otherwise. Fox and Friends, with Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Tucker Carlson, among other 'dignitaries', presented a balanced view of the political reality we were watching. (It was a relaxing atmosphere, too). Job creation, healthcare, decent housing, safe communities and great schools were uppermost on the minds of all americans.

It seemed, however, that the 'politicized professional politicians', were stalling the governmental machinery, whenever possible. For better or for worse, President Trump was here to stay. Was he posturing? Many said no. The 24-hour media was present, willing and able to dismiss, disregard and derail the new administration. Over the course of the last few months, words and phrases, associated with government and the games played there, began to surface and intrigue both my husband and me. In the everyday vernacular of government dialogue, words such as: 'executive branch', 'senate as an institution', 'sub-committee', 'government of continuity', 'budget reconciliation process', 'oversight committee', 'senate majority leader', 'house oversight committee', 'regulatory reform plan' and 'minority leader' were heard and confused us both. Then there were the all-powerful Senate, Congress and House, branches of government with politicians, at 'play'. The most puzzling phrase heard on television was 'bureaucrats before people.' Oh My. What did that mean? It did not sound good. Was that the sole purpose of government? Was an election a ploy to land a plum job and support the established 'costly' layers of the government bureaucracy? Government meant money, it seemed, with lots of it to go around, with pensions, too, for a select few who had been elected into office by the voters, the citizens of the United States.

As we discussed the growing malaise of government and the ridiculous words/phrases/costs associated with this modern-day institution, my husband reacted. Government speak came to mind. And so he wrote:

“We are here to begin a determination to study the feasibility of a committee to undertake the massive uncontrollable, unaccountable expenditures required to see which path we should take to spend the largest number of taxpayer dollars to see if we can decide anything at all.” ... As the words tumbled out, I laughed then stopped, realizing the hidden meaning of it all. Each title, position or committee - (comprising of at least two people) - had high costs attached, perhaps six figure incomes, with expenses, included, as well. Government was about money. It was not cheap. And who was footing the bill for this largess? The unsuspecting hard-working American taxpayer, of course! There was money to be made in this 'slow elephant', called government, while the citizens of America waited and waited for decisions to be made, with no deadlines in sight. Opposition demonstrated its might. Only in government. (But not only in America).

It was a 1944 docudrama that is difficult for me to watch. I know the ending. The heart-wrenching movie, The Fighting Sullivans, tells the story of an American family from Iowa whose 5 sons joined the navy, served on the USS Juneau together, then died together, when their ship was sunk. The brothers joined the military to help keep the world safe, not just their beloved country, America. It behooves us all to be ever so grateful of the might of the United States of America. It behooves those who are in charge of this powerful nation to the south to remember how little time the entire Sullivan family had together before death came calling and the supreme sacrifice they - and the many millions like them - made for human rights and freedoms. They died so we could 'live.'

Being an elected member of a democratic government is an absolute privilege. Democrats or Republicans, why does it matter? Party affiliation, regardless of origin, is window dressing. Doing what is right for all citizens is the cornerstone of a democracy. We are missing the broader picture. Governing is not a game. Righteous indignation has no standing. Those in government have an absolute duty to perform, having been given a mandate by the voters. Enough pandering, 'discussion', yelling and ill-will. The Sullivans, their descendants and the American people deserve better, a whole lot better.

Next week: Slowing down with sauerkraut pierogies. Oh Yum.