You Lie!

Wow.

For those of you not paying attention, Joe Wilson heckled the President in a recent address on health care. Hopefully this isn't even news by the time you read this, because it was dumb. Dumb like Kanye West interrupting an acceptance speech by Taylor Swift. Sigh.

Anyway, time for some names ... people I consider friends, and many of whom I haven't seen in a long time, but people I'd consider to be "average citizens". The statements I make here certainly don't frame the way I feel about them as individuals, but giving their names adds context and validity, so I'm disregarding the anonymity card. That's what happens when you put your opinion on Facebook.

So, this past week, my family had a sister pass away. Nothing atypical, she had a stroke. She helped much more than her fair share of people, including my mother. I don't think the details are important to the argument, but lets just say she's in a better place than the rest of us and leave it at that. She didn't have health coverage anymore, and I'm not in a position to explain the details of why, but I do know, from my own experience that controlling hypertension is greatly helped by frequent visits to the doctor, as well as diet, exercise, and medication.

So, this Joe Wilson nonsense happens, and I catch a glimpse, and think to myself, "Wow. That dude isn't gonna make a public apology for a gaffe like that? Quit now." Regardless of whether he was right or wrong, or how he felt (or how much Hennessy he was drinking before the event). That outburst was inappropriate. Honestly, I wasn't watching, and my first alert to it was seeing a twitter post by Lora W., a high school classmate who works for Obama for America.

So... then Bethany M., another high-school classmate posts a bit, wondering if the miraculous medical option that allowed her twins to survive is going to be an option "if Obama passes this". I *still* have mixed feelings about certain aspects of the statement. I mean, granted, it's a fleeting idea, posted on someoene's Facebook status. There's not enough room for real debate there, but I'd say, based on what I know about Bethany, and her faith, that it is of sincere concern. What I don't like, is that apparently she thinks that changes to legislation can prevent that kind of option, or more seriously, that God can be legislated out of our lives. I firmly believe that God is still in control. Bethany, give praise to God for that miracle, and don't let some political pundit take that away.
So, I respond, basically so I can get alerted to comments, and so that I can pray for that situation in my personal time.

I had a really rough day/evening, which usually ends with me just writing something out of frustration. Anger has been fuel for me for far too long. And I was angry. Not angry *at* my wife and kids (in case they wonder), but they were not helping. And so, I come up with this summary pretty much as a reaction to the whole health care debate, and typical of my non-committal approach to, well, everything. My Facebook status goes:

Marland V. Pittman understands that there is a fundamental divide between those who believe government should do nothing to those who can do for themselves, and those who believe government should do something for those who can't do for themselves. Here's the thing. Government isn't going away, so get on board and actively participate.

And then I turn in. Or attempt to, as my son doesn't really do this sleep thing that often. I wake up to a few comments, not entirely unexpected from the "usual suspects". Good friends, who's friendship I value and opinions I respect, even if I don't agree with them:

[Stacey Hearn-Hajj likes this.]
LOL. Stacey, what's not to like? You can be on either side of an argument, but participation is required to move forward. I made a statement completely devoid of meaningful opinion.

[JT Hickman - Agree as far as State Gov't goes, disagree with the Federal Gov't, which is limited by the Constitution in it's duties.]
[Brandon Waite - The power does not lie with the Federal Goverment. It lies with the state, like JT said. Also if you think the goverment needs to take care of you , you need to wake up.]

The response I post below, is really to JT and Brandon...

[Michelle Wilmoth - nice I like your thinking]
Again, my thinking is that if I say something that means nothing, I can get away sounding intelligent, but I don't make any meaningful contribution to the debate. I've gotten away with it for far too long.

[Julie Bousum Brackett - Well, not sure I am with ya on that one. What I do know is that I have never known or seen our country so divided and that we all need to be praying for that government and our great nation!]
Julie grew up across the street from me. There are so many things I could say about her, but recently, I've been inspired by her faith, so I'll say that I agree with her statement.

So, basically, in response to JT and Brandon, regarding states rights, I did a tiny bit of research and respond below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalism#United_States

It's dead guys. I understand the need for checks and balances. I don't want the executive branch of the federal government taking over any more than the crazy people who believe that "the President is gunna take away my right to shoot people on my property or steal movies off the Internet." However, I disagree with the need to legislate disparately across state borders. Why are there even laws that differ across state lines for things like alcohol sales, gun control, transportation, crime prevention, etc.? Giving the states power was a good idea. Allowing them to act autonomously is not. Checks and balances need to work in both directions.

Of course, if you don't like that... get out of a backwards state like Indiana. LOL.

JT, you know I love you, man. And I know you love a spirited debate. Seriously though, you've gotta get the media that is supporting your ideas to focus on the constitution, rather than the "anti-everything that is opposed to us" hype that seems to be getting spread. There's good ideas in there, but they keep masking them with the idea that those that are opposed to them are... bad people, rather than people with different ideas. It gets hard to listen to.

Brandon, you already know. The government won't take care of you, but they have to keep people from getting railroaded by those who would take advantage of them. Large companies with deep pockets are tied deep into the government. They support officials and corresponding policies that benefit themselves and not the people that representatives are elected to represent. The only tool that average people like you and I have is a vote. I argue that the political effectiveness of the vote is rendered null by those with enough money to support a candidate. I agree, we need to wake up. We're already being dissed by our government. The problem is, there are elements preying on our fear of it, when, in fact, we've already been shackled. Those in power aren't interested in reform, because it brings power back to the people. However, they'll say that the reform is what will actually enslave you. It's a devastating argument. It takes the idea that you are born free, and completely turns it around.

Draw the parallels to "The Matrix" or black slavery if you need to, but seriously... you, wake up.

The hardest part of this for me, is balancing this with my faith. I know I'm supposed to pray for those who have authority over me. And I know that I'm supposed to be in this world, but not of it. I also know that I'm supposed to take what I've been blessed with, and spread it around.

I won't be announcing my candidacy for office anytime soon. And I certainly won't be launching my campaign from a local soul food restaurant. Thanks for listening. Now, those of you who are about advanced citizenship. Get your letters to your representatives and let them know how you feel. I've gotta go watch a video on how the CEO of my company thinks that cutting 5000 jobs will save the company I work at, but not for, $1billion in two years.