Perspectives

It’s merely a number. And how many of us, really, paid that much attention to it prior to America’s recent congressionally induced financial imbroglio. Besides, as Les McCann sings on his quintessential 1969 album “Swiss Movement”, “Make it real compared to what?” I speak of the recent S&P downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.

I’m not one to get all enamored with the hyped prospects of the emerging markets of China, India or Brazil. No doubt those economies, today, have a vitality and energy not found in America, but those nations have challenges of unimaginable proportions. Even if their respective middle classes experience phenomenal growth, there will be hundreds of millions of Chinese left in crushing poverty. Say that 700 million Chinese do indeed achieve the American dream of a suburban split-level, two cars and the deluxe stereo system, those left behind will number more than all Americans now residing in North America. What of them?

What is of particular interest to me is something that may not have occurred historically in quite the same way it will happen to America. Our nation is an imperialist power and has been so, unequivocally, since the Mexican-American war of 1848. We will experience inevitable decline. The “nut,” as they say, is unsustainable. What is dawning on Americans is their awareness that the ship of state (our nation) is taking on water and is listing starboard (tragically). We’ve lost track, as a people, of what is honorable, sustainable and democratic.

It is said of Nero, “That he fiddled while Rome burned.” It sums up well the quality of American leadership today. The ship is sinking and our leaders, rather than correct course or bail water, point fingers and wax forever idiotic.

Obama is not the agent of change for which I hoped. He doubled-down in Afghanistan, hired as administrators the agents of our 2008 economic debacle, turned a blind eye to the corrupt greed perpetuated by America’s banks and Wall Street and lacks the spine to pursue his convictions. Perhaps that is the nut of the problem. That Obama simply does not share the values (convictions) I think necessary for a “healthy” America.

Worse, America’s Republicans are moronic. Both Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry do not believe in evolution. They may as well say that The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries as well as The Enlightenment simply did not occur. The other Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, believes Jesus Christ pole-vaulted across America. He and Rick Perry are the business candidates. Romney’s company purchased corporations, dismantled them, eliminating thousands of jobs and sold the remaining detritus for a profit. Yeah, baby! That’s some record of rebuilding America. Perry’s Texas miracle is an economic fraud. How stupid are we? If another ignorant Texas governor gets the Republican nomination, we deserve our future good and hard.

Mitt Romney says a corporation is the same as you or me. Same rights? Really? One reason for a corporation is to escape liability. Well, Republicans sure do that well. Everything is Obama’s fault! Yeah.

Democrats and Republicans alike are worthless as teats on a boar. One lacks the courage of their professed convictions and the other, well, they’re little more than simplistic, shameless bagmen for corporate interests.

Well, folks, put on J.S. Bach’s “Chaconne from Partita in D minor.”

Nero may have had it right, “Party on, Garth!”

Who is Jepson?

Jepson is a 24-year resident of Florida. He’s fiscally conservative, socially liberal, likes art and embraces diversity of opinion. Reach him at [email protected]