Why We Give Thanks
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It is a truly American event, and truly represents the spirit of our country. It's about people who left a place where it wasn't working for them and voyaged off across a great ocean to see about establishing a new life on their own terms. We gotta leave it kind vague there, because there were a lotta things about the Pilgrims that weren't terribly praise-worthy. Nor were the locals altogether pleased with the news arrivals.
Still, they arrived and survived, and the rest, as they say, is history. A century 'n a half later the new nation revolted against a mad king, and the United States of America was launched. Now here we are, sitting back on our fat-n-sassy, and mostly celebrating the remembrance out of habit, rather than respect. We're too busy being busy to give our unique origins much thought, beyond Pass the stuffing and don't forget to set the alarm so we can get to one of those giant box stores in time to stand in line for a coupla hours before it opens.
Not that I think we should fast, as what apparently the plan was for the original event that became Thanksgiving, but wouldn't it be a good idea if we looked past our bloated bellies and thought about who we are as a nation? It concerns me that we are losing touch with our national being. That we have given up our responsibilities as good citizens -- an essential piece in a healthy democratic nation -- and that we are ethically adrift.
The problem is not our own fault, of course. It's the fault of the politicians we elect -- those few of us who still bother to vote -- who are bought and paid for; there really isn't much difference between the donkeys and the elephants. And it's the fault of the media, who in their desire to keep audience, have forsaken news because they don't want to offend or frighten us; the sound we hear is Nero's fiddle. We can probably find others to blame if we need to; we can all claim some kind of personal or group victimhood.
Actually, most people would ignore this screed altogether; not bother to look up from the Macy's parade or the football game. Why should they? There's nothing that can be done, anyway. And that's the rub. Our ignoring of the mess is part apathy, but mostly a feeling of helplessness. Psychic numbing, perhaps. Russell Baker said something like "Powerless frustrates. Absolute powerlessness frustrates absolutely. And absolute frustration is a helluva emotion to run a world with."
Only it seems to be working. With fast food and faster television, people have delivered themselves into the hands of political figures whose interests are their own, not ours. Unlike the tens of thousands of newly-unemployed, or the 40-plus million without health insurance, the pols are in pockets of financial interests and share a vested in the game. A game that eschews decency, integrity, and social progress by counting on the acquiescence of the masses to suffer along with a decreasing share of the spoils.
So far, it's going Their way. And when you read about Kissinger probing September 11th, or our national forests being delivered into the hands of the timber interests, or the Pentagon asking for more than the $40,000,000 an hour they're already spending and likely to get it, ya gotta wonder. Well, ya don't actually, and most people don't, because there are no healthy conclusions to draw, and you'd be ostracized for thinking outta turn.
Still, I can't imagine that the Pilgrims started something that could end this badly. Our destiny may be manifest, but no one said the road was straight. Rather, I think matters will get worse, dramatically worse, over the next coupla years. And then, from amidst the depravity and chaos, fueled by desperation and the special character of our great country, we will somehow find our way back to the path. That's a reason for giving thanks.
And that's SetonnoteS...I'm Tony Seton.
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