I've made an observation about myself lately, and a friend mentioned this morning that what I'm going through might be described as a mid-life crisis. No, I haven't gone out and bought a little red convertible nor have I scheduled any cosmetic procedures nor broken off any long-term relationship to attach myself to someone 20 years my junior.
I have instead come to the realization that I'm finally imposing the boundaries and filters that should have been there all along and no longer behaving like a doormat. Case in point, my blog from a few days ago where I called the office predator on the carpet for his unwelcome and inappropriate behavior. I didn't do it 10, 20 or 30 years ago, but should have.
I've also come to the realization that the job I have is adversely affecting me in every way, so it's up to me to do something about it. I have to figure out what it is I really want to do for my paycheck, then figure out how to make it happen. Perhaps this isn't the ideal time given our current economic situation, but neither is it an ideal time to work myself into a stroke or heart attack. I still have boys to finish raising.
So here is the tie-in you're probably looking for: Are we in the midst of a national mid-life crisis? We should be.
It's past time that we impose filters and boundaries on what we will accept from our career politicians and government. Instead of it being about what is good for them, it needs to be about what is good for all of us.
If our national healthcare is subpar for a large percentage of the population, we should demand that we -- you know, the people -- have access to the same healthcare and benefits that our elected representatives have. If at least 40% of our taxes go down a hole in a foreign country never to be seen or paid back again, we should demand that the money be spent here on things that will directly benefit us. If our national education system is declining, we should demand that actually educating rather than just standardized testing be made a national priority since it directly affects our collective futures. Are you getting the idea?
These are not pre-pubescent or adolescent demands, nor should they be considered the ravings of meno- or andropausal lunatics. I've thought about this for a while, as I'm guessing we all have. It's just time to activate the filters, definitively establish the boundaries, and draw the proverbial line in the sand. There are only 500-and-something of them, after all, and a couple of hundred million of us. We're in charge. They work for us.
It's time to impose those boundaries for "We, the People", not act like "we the sheeple". No doormats here, fellow Americans. How about a reminder of why the American Revolution was fought in the first place?
wow, totally well stated! Love the analogy; but it makes one wonder if we are not in a 'mid life crisis' but if we are finally growing up. It is almost like we were living like we did when we were teens, free, reckless, a bit idealistic; now that we are grown, we see the world for what it is, and it almost reminds me of turning 30. . .it was around that time that I finally figured out what I wanted out of life and what was important.
Beautifully said.
Is it the result of 40 years of "dumbing down" the American education system?
Graduates don't seem to be able to write a coherent thought, but they can text or tweet?
Voice is right...it's time to stand up and say to our elected officials, who were elected to represent us and not themselves - enough is enough.
Voice, good luck on your career path. I know whatever you choose, you'll do well. I'm rooting for you!
Amen, Des.
Hear, hear!
Outstanding piece. I've been trying to "pin down" exactly what has happened to our country over the past 40 years. Things didn't use to be like this. Is it apathy? Is it ignorance? Is it stupidity? Is it uncontrolled greed?
Everyone seems to have an opinion. But very few have an "informed opinion". Many, in fact, have somebody elses's opinion. That is quite prevalent in one segment of the political spectrum.
Will we "outgrow" this? Is the generation now coming of age better informed? Are they more tolerant? Less racist?
We can only hope.
Absolutely. boundaries need to be drawn and people need to be held accountable. How about we start with those we vote FOR instead of calling names and pointing the finger of blame at the other side while giving “our” guys a pass when they do the same damn thing? Make it clear, not only with words but with action, that if they promise one thing and do the opposite their time in office will be short. That “well, things could be worse” is not a reason for our support. If we don’t, what we’ve always gotten is what we’re always going to get.
But good luck getting the partisans on either side to take off the blinders, and even better luck getting the majority of Americans to drag themselves away from American Idol long enough to get informed and get involved.
Voice, you have always been the voice of reason in an otherwise chaotic world and today is no exception.
You are certainly correct that it is time for us to impose those boundaries in America - before we sell our very souls to the devil. If we continue to allow the politicians to pat us on the head and tell us that they know best, we are doomed to a country divided that is in real danger of collapse.
That is not my America nor will I allow it to become so.