The leaves are popping out, the sun is shining and, yes, those lovely spring visitors – blackflies, not tourists – are back in force. Ah, spring in Maine. And, what really makes this time of year so warm and refreshing as we sit in the rays of old sol, is the posturing of prospective pols – those among us who seek higher office. Yes, I know, they are putting it out there – seeking to serve whether at the state or federal level – candidates galore grip and greet and, in many cases, debate and debase, all the while hurtling headlong towards election day. But I don’t want to talk about them. I want to talk about us.
Us. The electorate. The great “unwashed”. The people that Will Rogers said “Went to Washington to check on the hired help”. The polis – the “people” – as the Romans and the Greeks called us. After attending debates and forums – Republican and Democrat alike – I’ve come to the conclusion that too many of “us” are absolutists. Too many are “all or nothing” types. And guess what? If you – or any of us – are unwilling to accept anything less than 100% of the loaf, be prepared to slap that sandwich meat between bare hands.
“But wait! But wait!” you might say. That’s right, standing one’s ground is a time honored tradition in Maine. Just ask some of the Republican stalwarts who I’ve encountered at various forums. It’s all or nothing – no wiggle room for them – it doesn’t matter if they’ve agreed with a particular candidate or office holder 80% of the time. It is the other 20% they want to carp about. “Tax cuts – we don’t care – what about gay marriage?”And just to show how bipartisan I am, let’s not forget the Democrats. So absolute is their hate for George Bush that they accept anything – from the sublime to the ridiculous – as fact, so long as it is anti “W”. From “9-11” Truthers to disciples of Dobson, the tripe these troops peddle is pure pooh-pooh. It’s a free country and, hey, you can think what ever you want. You can engage in interlocution till your heart’s desire. That’s not the bone I want to pick with the pee-brains of political posturing.
All or nothing types get either one – all or nothing – and it is usually nothing. And that’s the way they want it. The worse thing you can do for the absolutist is solve their problem because, then, they’ve got to come up with a new one. Work towards productive change? Not them. Pitch in and help steer the ship of state? No way. It’s all or nothing and, until they get 100% of the loaf, they’ll just sit on their hands. Oh, they’ll pull them out once and awhile to type some caustic thread or raise them in a meeting to hit whatever piñata is up there before them. But nothing more.
Here’s a tip for all those who boldly stand their ground – proudly proclaiming their position of superior stature above those actually doing the challenging chore of change.
If you won’t settle for anything but the whole loaf, get off your tukus, stop your bitching, and get into the bakery.
