The Body Politic USA: In America - "We Are 'They'" ~ Nan Garcia Hicks c.1975

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

In America - "We Are 'They'" ~ Nan Garcia Hicks c.1975

A Political Geek From Day One:

A friend of mine asked me the other night about what motivates me. At first, I didn't understand - we were sharing a nice glass of wine and perhaps I was feeling a buzz. But the question was posed as an issue of bravery. If I see a political or community issue about which I am knowledgeable, I am not afraid to speak out. It has caused me more than a small amount to trouble over the years -because there are those who would prefer that I remain silent. My friend asked me what gave me the "courage to speak."

Ok - so I wasn't totally sober - but I did know the answer. To me it was never about "courage" - it was more about doing the right thing. And the compulsion to act in certain situations came from something my late mother instilled in me - and it can be summed up in two words - civic duty.

My Mother Could Walk the Walk As Well As Talk the Talk:

My mother was no slouch in that department. In her early days, she was a reasonably well-known radio interviewer in Washington D.C. and New York. Included among her guests some fairly high-level officials including a young Senator named Jack Kennedy and his brother Bobby, Mrs. Truman and Mrs. Eisenhower. In later life - she sat on the White Plains Charter Revision Commission, and three years prior to her death she ran for a seat on the White Plains Common Council. In other words, she walked the walk.

When I was still very much a kid, I asked her why she did all this "stuff." She responded "People will see a major injustice or public problem and simply say, 'Well, why don't they do something about that?' Well, that's all wrong because in America we are 'they'".

My mother was a very wise person and of course, she was correct. We the people are the "they" that need to do something. And if we don't engage - we will cease to get the government that we want and need. It will, however, be supplanted by the government we deserve.

From Total Disengagement To Willful Ignorance - Which Is Worse?

In this election cycle - we got what we deserved. The 2010 Senate races revealed just how bad this explosive combination can make things.

The millions of young people who were readily engaged in the Obama election sat this one out. As if showing up two years ago should have been enough. Those who were engaged appeared to be so to almost psychotic. The Tea Party exhibited a unique and dangerous combination of traits: tremendous engagement combined with almost willful ignorance.

The result was a nomination process that was faulty at best. The Republicans were not the only ones at fault - as my post about democratic candidates Alvin Greene showed. His nomination was the result of pure voter lassitude. No one appeared to know who they were voting for.

The Republican nominees were another issue. The tea party was very engaged. I had a minister once say to me "empty vessels make the loudest noise." Nothing could be more true of the Tea Party nominees. Some of these candidates lost - but the fact that any of them came close to winning turned the silly season of politics into a very scary place. Here are some video Clips - lest we forget.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Rich Iott Wears a Nazi Uniform

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

March to Keep Fear Alive