I decided I would extract politics from firearm related articles. This way, readers can elect to read or not read as they choose without the issues getting in the way of firearm related material. Read or not read, totally up to you, but it would be wrong for me to be silent.
It is cold for this time of the year. The snow that fell a week ago is still on the ground, and the shallow pond in the driveway apron is filled and still frozen solid. That would put the temperature at a brisk 24°F. It was mostly barrel heat that got me through the past few days of range sessions, but no outside work is being attempted today.
Heating oil closed at $5.45 this week, discount for quick pay included, but I know it will keep climbing. My plan is to keep the thermostat at 33°F, narrowly protecting against frozen pipes, but eliminating the need for the refrigerator running. I will save on both heating oil and electric consumption. I can’t help but think there is a flaw in that plan.
When I was a kid, when teachers would counter the term “kid” by asking if that meant a baby goat, we would associate the living and election conditions that we are experiencing in America with life in the old USSR.
Now, politicians talk about understanding the plight of middle America, while posing in front of TV cameras, wearing their everyday $10,000 work clothes, and sporting $500 haircuts. I have to watch, peering over the screen of my budget laptop, wearing broken in sweats, in need of a haircut, trying to figure out how to spread $1 over $2 worth of living expenses.
I cannot express this enough; this sucks. I’m OK. I’ve had a good life. But I have children and grand children with, potentially, great grandchildren in the future. The challenges for them, to have the life I have had, are daunting; raising a family, owning a home, putting children through college, having a successful career?
Oh, my guys are doing well, but I see the hours they put in, the sacrifices they make, the stress and strain. I am proud of them. Then I look up at the TV and see some doddering old man wander onto and off a stage, lost in both directions, claiming to be the president of my country. This has to change. This country, my family, my friends deserve better.
I couldn’t agree more Joe. Hope you have a good Thanksgiving.
You also Robert. The mood in politics will never be enough to diminish all of the good things that will be remembered on Thanksgiving.
Joe
The state of politics in America is, indeed worrisome. The failure of governments at all levels to competently perform their most basic functions, with concomitant lack of accountability, is frightening. In the face of such overwhelming ineptitude, I give thanks to the everyday folks who make my life as good as it is: grocery store stockers and cashiers, fuel truck drivers, farmers, doctors and nurses and pharmaceutical researchers and the many just plain good people who, by their everyday efforts, make America the best place to be. I also try to keep in mind that you definitely need a plumber to have a civilization, but you don’t need a Twitter coder. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Same to you, Bill. Happy Thanksgiving.
Joe
Saw this on a bumper sticker:
AMERICA
FOUNDED BY GENIUSES TO BE RUN BY IDIOTS
This is a late comment, but I couldn’ t stop myself. I also couldn’t agree more with you.
I had great hopes that the American public would actually see that the country could be headed in a better direction. But this last election cycle didn’t t turn out as rosy I had wished. I will keep hoping.
I hope you had a good Thanksgiving holiday. I thoroughly enjoy reading your articles and reviews. Keep it up.
It was a good day, Duane. Glad you enjoy the articles. Thanks you.
Joe