I GIVE UP

 “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference.”

--Reinhold Niebuhr

I have been driven to change those things I can, personally, socially and politically and on realistic days I have the wisdom to know the difference between what I can change and what I cannot.  Where I have failed profoundly most of my adult life is the ability to accept the things I cannot change.

The first political letter I wrote was to George Murphy, a Federal Senator from California, in 1970.  I was 23 years old. The letter was long; it articulated all that I thought was wrong with the U.S. in 1970. The Viet Nam war protests were violent and intentionally disruptive and I despised any tolerance of civil chaos (To this day Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s Vice President, is one of my heroes.  Yes I know he died in prison from liver failure but he was the ONLY voice in the early seventies telling the revolutionaries to go to hell).  The letter to Senator Murphy is one of the few letters, to this day, to which I received a courteous, thoughtful reply. Senator Murphy said he intended to incorporate a few of my points in an upcoming speech to the senate. WOW!  That first letter was the apogee of my political involvement. Uninterrupted downhill slide over the next 50 years.  I did not stop trying -- likely hundreds of letters -- and through the years I have become much more acerbic, fully justified in my opinions and disdain for elected and appointed officials. Because elected officials correspond only with people who adore them I never receive a reply and no longer expect to. That is liberating because I have no barriers blocking my expression of disdain for these people. I don’t have to be “honey” to attract bees; I can be “vinegar” in disrespect. I can look at myself in the mirror after I have written a truly nasty letter to an elected official and I am proud of what I see.

I have blogged since 2008.  I once ran for a fire commission seat in1996 and lost badly to a union-supported candidate. I once volunteered to serve on a committee chartered to reduce county government costs (not selected).  I continue to write and the acid continues to drip.  I believe this country as I have known and prospered in it, has passed the point of no return on the road to Marxism. I have tried to make that case over the last few months to my faithful readers (maybe 2 or 3 at the most?).  Though I am not a Chicken Little; I certainly confess to seeing the dark before the light. I believe deeply that our country is finished as we know it.  The point of this blog is to declare my resignation from politics so I will comply by NOT elaborating on why I believe we are toast.  

I have not changed a political or philosophical opinion of anyone of which I am aware. Not one in 50 years. Don Quixote here, tilting at windmills.  My wife is a Libertarian, more than I on some issues but she always was; she was not aware there was a label for her beliefs.  So I did not change her thoughts on the problems of the day since we were already in agreement.  I haven’t the skill or the connections to be published.  I did hope FOX would call me one day for an interview but, smartly, I did not give up my day job waiting. Most of this country chooses to go about its daily business trusting that elected representatives are working for the benefit of the public. That is their charter but, tragically, nothing could be further from the truth and that will become evident to astute masses somewhere down the road.

I believe, deeply, that if one is not a part of the solution, s/he is a part of the problem, an expression coined in the 60’s.  Since the mid-70’s (my belief) it has become increasingly clear that the electorate must advocate for itself and be involved in politics, not necessarily as office holders, but as individuals interested in the well-being of the country.  I have imposed that obligation on myself for 50 years.  For 50 years I have taken what happens to this country seriously.  Only during the last 5 have I come to vote my best interests, not necessarily the country’s best interests.  At 75 I want my Medicare and social security (both for which I paid during my working years) to continue with no interruption or modification).  

I know well I can change nothing.  Very recently I have become a refugee from politics.  

My self-imposed obligation to be an active citizen has not been healthy for me (health prevails however because of some good habits; I exercise vigorously and drink alcohol...but only to wash the bad effects of exercise from my body, of course).  While my wife understands and accepts my rants, she reiterates what is now obvious to me:  no matter my efforts, I will never make a difference.  I have a super general practitioner; she is free with dispensing drugs and they are miracles. My doctor looked me in the eye and said “get out of politics.”  My wife has said the same thing for years, but heck, why would I pay attention to HER.

You(?) will read no politics, save a snide remark from time to time; I have a few ideas for topics but I hope to write of humor or my strong love of Maine.  This is not “poor me.” I will personally be better off for giving up my quest and the country will be none the poorer for my retreat.  What a shame.  People my age, give or take 20 years have lived during the best years of this country. I worked long and hard for retirement; I will no longer beat my head against the wall but will enjoy my years ahead.  God help the younger generations since these younger folks have no idea how or inclination to help themselves.

Say “good night” Gracie.