Business as Usual - Elections 2014

Flickr Photo - Creative Commons License 2011 - Kevan 

Well, thank goodness (actually, there is no goodness) the 2014 mid-term elections are over. It reached a point where I'd find myself retching every time another political ad came on or I'd see it in print. I hung up on robo calls - (thankfully, I got few). For everyone reading this who still believes government is or can be good, well just keep your Shirley Temple, Good Ship Lollipop mentality.

Government is not good - in any form! It never has been and never will be. It is, unfortunately, necessary. It's necessary because most humans (notice I didn't make that all inclusive) have the basic drives and abilities to survive individually. But, put a group of them together and they act like a pack, herd, gaggle, flock (choose your word) and ultimately an alpha human will emerge and control the rights of the rest of the group. Oh, and by the way, I'm already sick of the 2016 election campaign and it hasn't even officially begun, yet.

It's been one week as of today, Wednesday, November 12, 2014, since most of the results of the 2014 mid-term elections were officially announced. The party of the largest land mammal in the world scored, what has been termed as and with much gloating, a "sweeping victory" over the party of the stubborn beasts of burden. In Brett Butler's immortal words, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." Or to quote a more contemporary individual of questionable celebrity status (and not a fictional character), "What difference – at this point, what difference does it make?" Thanks for that, Hillary Clinton. You're right, it doesn't.

Where I Stand

So, let me get this straight for everyone. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am not a liberal or conservative. I'm not a Libertarian (though I often sound like I am). I am a member of a party with only one member. It has a long name. It's the Radical Rational Living Free Commonsense Freedom Loving Independent Party. As I said, it only has one member, ME!

I seek no political office. I accept, mostly grudgingly, the often insane and even obscene laws of the land - federal, state, county, city, community and neighborhood. They are too voluminous for anyone to deal with. Of course, the vast majority of which are never enforced unless it is for the political expediency of some sociopathic politician's personal interests (or those supporting him or her).

Actually, I did my best, spending over 60 years of my life, attempting to live up to the letter of the law as I was conditioned to do by my parents, church, school, college, the military and over 57 years as an entrepreneur (beginning at age 12). I attempted to be a model citizen. This included serving my country voluntarily and not dodging the draft during an unpopular war. Hmm! Is there such a thing as a popular war? And what I learned, after all this time and voting for people I thought (unwittingly) would represent my interests, is that little ever changes other than a few faces and names. Otherwise, it's Business as Usual.

Everyday, since last Wednesday, my email box is filled with the gleeful conservative Republicans spitting their victorious vitriol at the liberal Democrats. And, of course, the liberal Democrats are sputtering back, "You'll be sorry! These Republicans will screw you (just as we've been doing, but didn't want you to know it).

Heck! I have no psychic powers, but I can predict the future. In one to three election cycles, the conservative Republicans will screw up enough - AGAIN - (just as the liberal Democrats have been doing) for the pendulum to swing back to the Democratic side. Wow! How can I know that? Simple, I looked back into the history of the U.S. government. Business as Usual.

Is Anarchy Evil?

I guess, if anything, I'm an apolitical, benevolent anarchist. Oh, my God! Did he say anarchist? Yep! I did. I said it. But, while anarchists are typically viewed as evil and malevolent, they don't have to be. The traditional dictionaries usually retain older, traditional and sometimes archaic definitions for words. But, as with everything in our world, words evolve and can have modified or new meanings such as this one I cite from the "Urban Dictionary:"

"Anarchists are people who want to live under their own authority. Political authority is what they are against, and some will go to extreme measures. Anarchists are extremely peaceful, but when time comes to take action they go right ahead. They are anti-consumeristic and often times grow their own food. Anarchism these days is often found in youth, particularly people around the punk rock scene. Anarchists are not people who make bombs etc. This is where the title for the "anarchist" cookbook went wrong."

The italicized, underlined and bolded words are my emphasis to make sure the context is not compromised. Also, I find with age comes wisdom and with wisdom comes changes in thinking and philosophies.

It's not just youth who are rebellious. Actually, we were all rebellious when we were young. We all seemed to have times when we thought we knew it all and the "establishment" was a bunch of fuddy-duddies and didn't understand us. During my youthful years there was a name for the young people who really pushed the envelope, they were called "Hippies." Most hippies grew up and eventually bought into the prevailing, mainstream, societal model. A small number never did.

While I had my own rebellious attitudes during my youthful years, I was never a hippie. I had my secret desires to live free and unencumbered by the ever increasing burdens of dealing with an uptight society full of laws, codes, regulations, rules, ordinances, etc. However, I was probably a bit more like the fictional character, Alex Keaton from the popular 80's sitcom, "Family Ties." Alex was portrayed by Michael J. Fox. The show was the launching pad for his acting career.

I said I always attempted to be a "model citizen," but to be honest, the very nature of the entrepreneurial spirit is one of a certain non-conformity and rebelliousness. I did my best to stay within the law, but I was ever bending, testing and pushing the envelope.

Eventually, I realized that the box was getting smaller. The government was getting larger and I, like the vast majority of the population, probably 95% to 97%, was just a pawn in the real U.S. version of the "Game of Thrones."

Business As Usual

So, here we are. The 2014 mid-term election cycle is over. The sword of power passes from the one dynasty back to the other dynasty. Will there be changes? Of course! That's the purpose of the entire game.

We still have a sociopathic, arrogant, deceitful, ineffective, classless individual in the executive office with his own self-serving agendas. We have a Congress that is now controlled by the other dynasty. They will attempt to undermine the executive. Meanwhile the executive will do everything he can to stalemate the Congress and continue to portray them as "the problem." The executive will continue to play games with our enemies and throw anyone under the bus from his administration to assure that he is always beguiling. After all, it's his legacy as the greatest Pretender in Chief that is most important to him.

I wouldn't hold your breath for the economy to dramatically improve. I'd be concerned that the terrorism threat in the U.S. will likely escalate. More scandals will be added to the already existing scandals that have yet to be resolved to the satisfaction of the minions according to virtually every poll. And we may all reach the point of dry heaves long before the November 2016 election. The mainstream media will keep plying us with propaganda. Yep! I'd call that Business as Usual.

As for me? Well, I guess, I'm reverting in many ways to just being an old "hippie." I've figured out that I'm tired of playing "THE Game." I just want to live out however many years I have left staying as under the radar and off the grid as I choose to and enjoying the freedoms, I have left. Hopefully, those aren't ripped from me by more new laws designed to control and keep a finger on my location, life and thoughts.

As for you? Refer back to Rhett Butler's quote. I don't care where you stand or what you believe politically, religiously, ethnically, racially, nationally, financially, environmentally or in any other way. You have the right to whatever it is. Just DO NOT even attempt to tell me what or how I should believe or you're treading on quicksand. I am a Free Thinker and plan to remain that way until I die (and thereafter if there is a thereafter).

My only political aspirations are as the current sole member of my Radical Rational Living Free Commonsense Freedom Loving Independent Party. By the way, it is open enrollment for anyone wanting to join my Party (and party is the operative word, because that's what we'll do - we'll party).