153. How much longer will we be the United States of America?

I will write about Fancy Farm later. Besides, I am supposed to comment on it at the Metro Democratic Club's meeting tomorrow night. I need to collect my thoughts into some coherent stream of words and ideas, and avoid the usual stream of consciousness style I've been accused on employing when speaking and writing. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day. Etc. Etc. [Shakespeare, Mitchell].

I've been out for a few days, during which, among others things, the bridge on I-35W collapsed in Minnesota. Thoughts and prayers and offers of condolences are extended to those involved and their families.

I can't get past the fact that in this blog I have written more than once about the failures of our government to properly fund itself - a response to the anti-tax propoganda put forth quite successfully during the last 30 years, especially influenced by the leadership of Ronald Reagan (who did in fact raise taxes substantially) and Grover Norquist, whose famous mantra is that he wants to reduce the government to nothing. It is because of the ideals promoted by people like these two, and the politicians who follow them without much thought as to the long term and eventual consequences, that bridges fall sixty feet into a river below.

Our governments - at all levels - have failed to serve the public by making smaller and smaller budget allocations to our ever expanding infrastructure, thus making the Republic less safe with every budget that cuts infrastructure support, especially those which siumltaneously support a war overseas.

It is a very unpleasant thought that accidents such as the I-35W collapse may have been avoided if only politicians were willing to say we need more money to pay for these things, as opposed to caving in to the sentiment that all government spending is intrinsically bad. It isn't. Whenever you hear a politician speak the phrase that she or he supports "No New Taxes," tell them in advance that they will be personally responsible for any injuries or deaths related to an incident such as the one forced upon the drivers in Minneapolis.

At what point will the United States become a land of E Pluribus Unum again, as opposed to the Me-Only and to Hell with You attitude cast upon us, willingly and wittingly, by the Grover Norquists of the world? Once we were a beacon to other countries, the city shining on a hill, as President Reagan used to say. Once we espoused the notions set forth in Emma Lazarus' poem, so much so that we engraved her words into the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.

The more prevalent attitude of this country today is the one Joseph and Mary found when looking for a place to stay in Bethlehem - "There's No Room Here For You."

Sad.