a fool's gold has no value
On its own, history is a fascinating topic, of both good and bad events that made the country what it is today. So much so, why some are working hard to rewrite the past to fit the current narrative is a marvel in either all out deception or pure genius. But sadly, the rewrite appears to be in the sense of real truth not being important but a falsity of truth being more so. Problematically though, the dilemma the current trends will face is future generations unravelling the travesty of the issues currently being played out. The question begging: Will it even matter if there is nothing left of the nation? And, in the realm of historical conveyance, while it’s common knowledge that discretion is the better part of valor, who really cares anymore. Merriam-Webster’s definition of discretion; individual choice or judgment. Which should then make one wonder about word choice overall, especially when the exploits of the past are presented wholly different in the present. An amalgamation of people and events now too confusing to believe anything good could come from this nation we call the United Sates of America.
To juxtapose, Robin Hood of merry England comes to mind. Although, his discretion was taking from and giving to, thus balancing a perceived indiscretion, being the king taking from and keeping, enriching himself. Which Merriam-Webster’s defines indiscretion: an act at variance with the accepted morality of a society. But who sets the standards of morality? And, as the limits of allowed morality stretch to the extreme, does hypocrisy become a full circle phenomenon? So, imagine Robin Hood today being government, with society split into discretion and indiscretion, with the government setting the ambiguous standards. To correlate the obtuseness, a Bible verse being apropos to the transitions taking place: Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion (Proverbs 11:22).
Well, for me growing up, right was right, wrong was wrong, and one colored inside those well-defined lines. Yes, sometimes I ventured outside of them, but rarely, making personal discretion the better choice than societal indiscretion. And one of those hard-pressed lines I struggled with for years, one worked for what they pocketed and wanted. Only, if you didn’t have enough for the things desired, you sacrificed until you did. While in my youth learning the hard knocks, I was too young for politics, but the sixties, through government intervention evolutionized the country. So much, the world started to spin faster: reminiscent of being on a merry-go-round. Only, as a kid, one spun while everyone else hung on, hoping to stay on. Yet, with the government, there were multiple individuals who grabbed and turned the carousel, but it didn’t move; the world did. Additionally, while some countries spun, others were immovable. Some wanted off, while others said: “No, let’s see how fast we can spin this,” and everyone through force went along for the ride. A world of political discretion, or indiscretion, which in time, the definitions were reversed.
Along the way, politicians wanted us to believe they knew what was needed. Just give them the carousel, and the control of it consisted of three things: votes, money, and a listening ear. Votes meant power, money meant control … and the listening ear? Politicians discovered, if they listened to the revolutionaries, yet promised the masses, in time, a political revolution would happen in the midst of the evolution. So, as the older masses faded away, the revolutionaries became vogue, and the desired change covertly transpired. Think segregation, or desegregation. Today, Democrats are purportedly the voice of the minority. The champions of Civil Rights! But, as recent as the sixties, they were the reason for civil rights.
Now, the best way for government to control the masses: taxation, or conquerazation! The ability to take more of what you earn and re-distribute to those who are either unable or unwilling to earn, so they can live life without sacrificing like I sacrificed to attain the standard of living I’m at. And yes, there are possibly reasons why they can’t, but in today’s world, it’s irrelevant: the reversing of definitions more important than the truth behind an issue. Example: One afternoon my wife and I were shopping for groceries. We’d loaded the cart and headed to check out. There were things we wanted, but the checking account dictated we had to pass; we did not have the discretionary income to spend. Trying to find a line that wasn’t brimming with carts, we settled on one with a family of three and two carts. One filled with essentials, food to sustain a couple and their son. The other cart was non-essential: beer, sweets, what we quickly learned were non-qualifiables. And the couple together were most impressive: tattoos, body piercings, including some rather unique ear piercings, all while texting on cell phones. Each even had new matching tattoos. When the first cart was totaled, they paid. In Texas, it’s called the Lone Star EBT Card (food stamps). Finished, it was time for the second cart, and before the cashier hit the total button, the purchasers requested four cartons of cigarettes. That cart, paid in full with cash: someone else’s cash through being taxed paid the first cart, allowing them the benefit of the second cart we had to pass on ourselves. Discretion no longer a part of valor.
Today we’re told, the past’s rights were wrong, but today’s right is whatever makes you feel good. In politics, it’s called political expedience, and one better not speak against or about any of the changes transpiring. Because in the world of equalization; we’re not there yet. Politics has yet to define the perceived world of what they want to achieve. Although, the problem with politicians is motive; be it votes, power, money, or a combination of all. Except for them, the outcome is the gold ring in their noses, whereas others should understand: a fool’s gold has no value if one is freely handed what another had to sacrifice to obtain. Worse, that damn carousel is still spinning.