Washington, D.C. 2005: With his children, Arianna and Isaiah, Trent Ling enjoys a reminiscent subway ride in the nation’s capital. Trent had met his to-be wife, Siauw, while living in Washington, D.C., in 1991. Sadly, however, Trent shares below of the declining state of affairs in that beautiful and historic city which he used to call “home.”
From Trent Ling:
Seriously, if charged with the task of reconfiguring the United States’ government, I would consider starting anew upon the Antarctic continent before striking hands in pledge with any in the Democratic Party. In a nutshell, the Democratic Party is either idiotic… or fraudulent… or both!
However, the Republicans are far, far, far (did I say, “far”?) worse because they know better, but essentially do nothing at all, ever. Nada, nyet, nol… Blah, blah… Unbelievable!
Try to follow the bouncing, chronological ball.
Republicans had their chance. They seized remarkable power in 1994 in the “Contract with America.” Not even the sitting Democratic Speaker of the House, Tom Foley, could win his own re-election to the House that year. The sitting Speaker ousted from his very own measly seat? Yes. High times for change abounded. And, for the last six years of the Clinton Administration and the first six years of the Bush Administration, the Republicans possessed the Congress and drove the agenda for the country.
And then what?
Balanced Budget Amendment? No!
Term Limits? No!
Forgetfulness? Yes!
Wimpiness? Dripping! Pouring! 911! Noah?
The Republican Party squandered its lengthy, historical opportunity and proved routinely gutless, conviction-less, memory-less, and spineless. That twelve-year run of undone business birthed what would become the utter lunacy that the United States has endured in its government for the past two, incalculably devastating years. Ironically, had the Republicans not proven infinitely worse than the Democrats, none of the powerbrokers over the past two years would have ever seized command. But, Republican leadership has been so anemic, impotent, and unattractive that the country fell into the hands of a disgusted and batty electorate longing even for a blind roll of the dice, if nothing else. Surely and sadly, elections have become about “who’s worse?” and almost nobody even bothers looking or longing for real leadership anymore.
But this past November, seemingly coming to their senses in short order, voters swept Democrats out of office in record numbers, indirectly and tepidly conferring upon Republicans a solid retaking of the House of Representatives. The vote was aimed at fixing the spiraling economic crisis that inexorably continues to grind out the world as we knew it.
For perspective, zero-point-zero portions of President Obama’s novel ambitions would have ever become law had this current House been standing in his way. But despite all GOP rhetoric to the contrary, all of the past 24 months is, and will forever be, the fault of the Republicans.
So, what now? At this point, everyone knows, or should know, that the United States’ populace cannot afford until-death retirements and exorbitant, unlimited medical care for all of its people turning only 62. Unsustainable! But, the Republicans, sworn into office just this month, must already be turning their attention to the next election because they will not even mention this 800-pound-gorilla, budgetary fact. Not wanting to lose any favor or votes, they do not mention “entitlement” programs in their “plan” to fix the economic crisis that continues to swallow the entire world. Embarrassingly (though they still don’t blush), the Republicans are content to save a few relative pennies here and there in the budgeting process, while biding their own political time. Wow! Next!
Yes, that’s right. In the first month of the new Congress, I’ve already seen enough.
I want referenda:
1) Are we a people and a nation that now insists on fairy tales–refusing to deal with any reality requiring any sensibility? 2) Are we unable to conduct real conversations about real things? 3) Will the people we once were only re-emerge from a Red State/Blue State Civil War? 4) Can one espousing the only solution (i.e., cutting spending and entitlements to the bone) not ever be elected because of a fat, self-absorbed, myopic electorate? And, 5) will such an honest, forthright proponent never emerge, speak, and lead?
If the prevailing answers to these sample questions reveal an utter lack of national fiber, character, will, and oomph, then let’s find out today. Let’s just get the answer already that we might throw hopes and plans in the garbage can, if necessary. Enough with the needless, imprisoning suspense at the hands of these elected grubbers.
I find it all to be fascinating, nauseating, and delightful. Fascinating because people are the way the Bible says they are. Nauseating because this is all such a waste of the human genome and God’s call of man. Delightful because it once again proves and demonstrates that God is true though men may be liars (Romans 3:4), and it avails another opportunity for all to board a completely different Ship that operates without empty promises.
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