Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Too Much, Too Late
[Open letter to Charles. A Christian friend of mine on the fence.]If you're still on the fence, then I guess you can be swayed. To be honest, it's hard to image anyone who has not yet made up his mind. Especially a smart guy like Chuck.
That said, I always like to look at the adages for timeless wisdom. "Power Corrupts. Absolute Power corrupts Absolutely." True enough, don't you think? Without a balance of power (Republican House and Senate, Republican Court, Republican Executive Branch) we'll get corruption. Look at Mexico if you need proof. One party for 100 years. It used to be the country of artists and wealth and bounty. Now it's a trap.
Anyway, it's -- how shall I say? -- interesting what people do with power. Some people invite contrary views Nixon and Clinton were experts at involving the opposition. Both, incidentally, were also impeached.
So let's try this adage on for size. "The Emperor has no clothes." Yes. It's quite apparent to everyone else he's naked. But he's convinced his tailor is the best. You want a way out of war? Don't ask the guy who still thinks he's fighting terrorism in Iraq. He's naked. He knows it. Only now it's his best selling point. I'll stay true to the course all the way to the (bitter) end. Which is easy enough when someone else, someone poorer, someone with less to live for, is doing the dieing for you.
And yet, some presidents like to rule with an iron fist. Take the Roosevelt's, for example. Man could they command attention. This is why we have presidents. They earn respect. They thrive on it. They become the essence of "the right man for the job." And we Americans, if we see them falter, it becomes our duty to bring them down a notch. Roosevelt numero dos got shit-canned right at the end of WW2. (Our involvement in WW2 will shortly become less lengthy than our war on Terror, just shy of 4 years.)
When the Emperor has no clothes, someone needs to tell him. Bush has effectively cleared anyone out of his cabinet and his immediate circle of influence who will tell him things he does not want to hear. Can this be healthy for the rest of us? If the president is asked to represent the 300 Million under him, shouldn't he have an open office?
You're a religious guy, Chuck. You respect that in a leader too. Here's another adage for you: What would Jesus do?
K
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