March 5, 2014

The Game of Our Life

By Tammy Derouin

We’ve traded our president and Congress for a dictator and minions.  The people, who will ultimately pay the highest price, are not well informed.  Some of this is due to the government takeover of the press.  We have become so accustomed to being hand fed, we accept without question.  If it’s on the news, it must be important.  If most media sources are reporting a story a certain way, it’s accepted as truth.  They wouldn’t mislead the American people, right?

The American people either cannot figure out they are being lied to or they don’t care.  Americans used to question our elected servants.  They answered to us.  The press used to work for the people.  The press held politicians accountable by getting the dirt on a story.  Getting the dirt these days means the press is shovel ready to spread the lies being manufactured by the ruling party.  The government has become their master.  The press has been enslaved.

The Heritage Foundation issued an article entitled, “Top 10 Abusive Executive Actions by the Obama Administration.”  Before they get to the abuses, they point out that we have a government of laws, not of men.  They use the Constitution to make their case.  What a novel idea!  The Constitution is the law of the land. 

When playing a game with friends, if someone doesn’t follow the rules, they are accused of cheating.  It’s usually a mistake.  The person feels bad and meant no harm.  Laughter and a little ribbing brings the game back on track.  Sometimes an individual needs to be watched more closely.  This individual may be accepted, although heads will shake and eyes will roll. 

When the game leans in favor of the cheating individual, it’s felt among the other players.  Calling such a person on his behavior usually leads to excuses as he finds fault and blames others for his actions.  Those who have attempted to hold him accountable have been mocked and ridiculed.  Others begin to ignore his behavior out of fear.

Those who willingly came together, slowly accepted the misconduct of one individual.  What was once considered offensive is accepted because it became politically incorrect to call a cheater a cheater.  Now look what you’re stuck with?

The game is no longer fun.  Getting away from this individual is difficult because he’s become so intertwined in your daily life.  It would be so much easier to overlook his faults.  You begin to justify the situation.  Maybe he just doesn’t realize what he’s doing.  Cut him some slack. It’s not that bad, is it?  So he wins a little more than he should.  Don’t be so focused on following every single rule.  Yeah, it’s you.  You shouldn’t be so ridged.  I’m sure he’d agree that rules were meant to be broken, unless, they’re his rules.  But you haven’t played that part of the game, yet.  Stay focused!  If the majority is fine with what he’s doing, who are you to criticize? 

The cheater realizes his needs aren’t being met.  He begins to host game night.  It’s much more difficult to criticize someone’s behavior in their home.  All you have to do is smile and laugh.  Be a good guest.  But remember, when you leave, his friends are among you so you can’t talk about him or you won’t be invited back.  A few may not return but that’s fine with him.  It gives him the opportunity to belittle them for whatever he didn’t like about them anyway.  Control comes to mind.

As time passes, the gap needs to be filled by those who left.  Invitations begin to go out beyond your circle of friends.  Because you’ve been part of this wonderful experience for so long you are now asked, but it feels more like a demand, to contribute to the function.   The new people are given transportation, childcare, jobs, food, phones, translators, education, medical and homes.  Huh?   What happened?

Every week the crowd gets bigger.  What happened to game night?  What happened to getting together with friends?  Because a cheater was appeased, we are all part of the collective.  If you don’t wish to associate with everyone in the world, you will be called a racist.  If you have more than your neighbor, you will be forced to give up that which you earned so others can enjoy that which they didn’t earn.  By the way, the dictator is pushing his minions for another stimulus package.  This time it’s $302 BILLION!  Ante up!

We are playing the game of our life.  The press refuses to spread the truth about entitlements and the executive power grab.  Feeling uncomfortable is good.  It tells you that something is wrong.  Telling the truth isn’t spreading hate, it helps keep everything checked and balanced.   

“A traitor is everyone who does not agree with me.”

King George III