A New Start

Well, American Idol David Cook mania has ebbed a bit, so I can take a breath and share some stuff I've been thinking about.

Since 2001, I've been madly political. Let's face it, the world as we know it is going to hell in a handbasket. As a conservative, I want to stand astride the path and shout "Stop!". But, no one's listening. Except others who already feel that way. What the hell's the point?

While I enjoy meeting others who recognize the danger we're in and the slope we're slipping down, focusing on it all the time has just made me miserable. And you know what? I'm sick of being miserable.

I've been saying for some time that when things get bad enough, people will finally hit their limit and say "Hell No!", stand up and push back. Until they do, I'm just spinning in a bubble, freaking out and ranting. Until they do, I'm not having any fun—only noting with morbid fascination every millimeter we edge toward the dark side.

I've pretty much decided that all I can reasonably do is be prepared for the inevitable peasant revolt.

I've participated in two elections recently. One for American Idol, one for American Politics

My American Idol vote actually made a difference. My guy won. And in a few months, he'll release a music album that will add a little joy to my life.

My American Politics vote made no difference. My guy won. But all I got was more of the same crap I voted against.

On American Politics, it doesn't matter who wins. He will fuck it up. He will do the stupidest possible thing, he will support the worst policy, he will miss the obvious, he will make every situation worse, he will waste scads of money, he will take more of yours, he will propose the least effective solutions, he will defend the indefensible, he will court criminals and liars, he will promote incompetence, he will break any law for his own benefit, he will sell himself, his soul and his first born. I don't have to sift through every word, or analyze ever speech, or tease out the subtleties of his policies. In the last analysis, he's going to be worse than he looks, less honest than he pretends, more stupid than he appears, less honorable than he acts, less decent and human than he simulates.

The best we can do is try to discern which among the whores is least interested in controlling you or stealing from you, and vote for him. Because any program or policy they're selling beyond that is going to be stupid, lame, expensive, ineffective, and will invariably exacerbate whatever problem it was meant to solve.

By all means vote. And then move on to real life. With real people. Who do real things.

And when the shit comes down, which it will, we can all grab our pitchforks, stakes and torches, and clean out the nest of vampires and vipers, and start all over again.

And in the meantime: Don't worry. Be happy.

Because, you know what? There is not a goddamn thing we can do about it. Seriously. Haven't you tried? Haven't you ranted, raved, howled, wrote, read, preached, harangued, pleaded, donated and voted? How did that work out for you? I'm not noticing a big difference from all the work and effort you put into it. But maybe it's just me.

America Politics offers us compromised, corrupt, self-aggrandizing, stupid, greedy, mean-spirited, blindly ambitious liars without decency, honor, courage, loyalty, intelligence, virtue or values. The more we involve ourselves in the process, the dirtier we get. Contaminated by contact. What we do, want or say makes no difference. They control the game. We are their victims.

American Idol offers us sweet, good, decent, humble, generous, honorable, courageous, loyal, disciplined, hard-working, talented, and often smart people with old-fashioned American virtues. They inspire us. And sometimes they uplift us. What we do makes a difference. Our participation matters. We are their patrons.

When Americans have the choice, they will vote for the good and decent. American Idol provides that opportunity—and demonstrates America's good judgment. American Politics deprives us of anything remotely decent or fine. It only provides us the chance to be collaborators in sin, corruption and crime. Why in the world should it be a surprise that honest Americans prefer the former to the latter?

David Cook, The American Idol, will make beautiful music that will actually make the world a little brighter, a little more joyous, a little more vibrant and alive.

Whoever is The American President will be another lying asshat who's full of shit, arrogance, ignorance, stupidity and ineptitude and will drag us further down the road to perdition.

I don't know about you, but for me it's time for a lot more American Idol and a whole lot less American Politics.

Now excuse me while I go listen to some music, and ignore the shit out of today's political news.

The (Happier) Gunslinger