On the road trip that’s been my life, I’ve encountered more junctions, turn-offs, and exits than I care to count. I’ve taken a lot of domestic off-ramps, and a few foreign detours, as well. I should also mention there were many stops signs and road closed barricades on this odyssey. But I’m still driving, and for me, the best roads are the ones less traveled…
Most diversions were to places like those in America’s catalog of quirky small towns like Nothing, Nowhere, Normal, Whyy, Truth or Consequences, Hazardville, Young America, Neutral, Embarrass, Funk, Buttzville, Boogertown, Knockemstiff, Big Beaver, Burns Down, Difficult, Recluse, Hell for Certain, and Satan’s Kingdom.
I’m a real sucker for a place I’ve never seen, and especially one with a singularly enticing name.
These are all bona-fide, honest to God American towns.
The last couple ‘Hell for Certain, KY, and Satan’s Kingdom, MA. caused me to wonder… What’s going on in that community to make towns-folk choose that name? The answers and rationale make for some fascinating reading about America’s folk-history, and its communities.
Look ‘em up if you’ve a mind to.
What would I name this republic, knowing what I know and feeling how I feel… Well, there are two great names already taken; I mentioned them above.
I really like “Hell for Certain,” not just because I was born in the beautiful state of Kentucky, but “Hell for Certain” encapsulates ‘Merka’s direction of the last several decades and specifically, the past twenty-years. ‘Merka is on the Highway to Hell, for Certain.
The audio clip above is ‘tongue in cheek’ and used intentionally to preface my principal point, that we take liberties with everything, and that while they seem like a clever idea at the time, are generally a bad idea, because they defy the original and overall principle.
I’m not critical of this musical interpretation, it’s a great cover of the original AC DC tune in an interestingly divergent style. Believe me, some of my musical interpretations were, let’s just say, pretty unusual… This piece is entertaining…
America had a ‘few’ great years and the republic blossomed, but those flowers have withered on the vine from negligence.
We faced, and overcame some remarkable and formidable obstacles, trials, and tribulations with rousing success, but lately Mother’s every action seemingly turns us toward ‘Hell for Certain’. It’s as though Her autopilot – GPS is permanently set to those coordinates, and the override / cancel, is blocked by Partisan Political decisions for the republic.
America has lost its way, and the direction is set for us by the people we hired to manage our republic, Mother is taking us to some extremely dangerous places. Why is it that the result always seems to be far worse than the rationalized promises?
Why don’t the two ever coincide?
OK, let’s say that the goal is a Socialist style Oligarchy. In that case ‘Merka’s right on track.
But, remember fellow citizens, that was never the plan. In fact, the founders fought pitched-battles to prevent that from ever reoccurring!
Yet here we are fighting for our republic again; battle after battle, and election after election to prevent the seemingly inevitable degradation of our Constitutional Republic into the Nationalist American Socialist Party, replete with banal politicians in territorial contests for seats at Mother’s table.
History is a terrific guidebook full of attempts and their consequences. Why does Mother circumvent and disregard history’s collective wisdom? Does Mother really believe that She knows better or that She has absolute mastery of the circumstances She creates?
These volumes of knowledge are all available to those who’ll read it, and practice the lessons they teach. It’s all there to use, free of charge. You see, those who’ve made the mistakes chronicled in these tomes, paid the price for their errors. They were magnanimous enough to pass it along so that others might benefit. How foolish we are to disregard and discount their efforts…
History is a warning to those who are condescending and patronizing – like Mother.
Why have the guidebook if you don’t intend to use it. And for that matter, why have a constitution if all your efforts are to circumvent it, or disregard it altogether?
I could follow this analogy ad nauseum, but I think you get my point. We choose to disregard facts and precedents. We supplant common sense with perverted partisan political programming because their ends justify their means.
You’ve never heard that last part before, have you…
Do they really think we’re that stupid?
The obvious ‘de rigueur’ reply is “Absolutely!” Why else would Mother trivialize and corrupt education to the point of absurdity and madness?
Boys can be girls and girls can be boys… Really?
‘Merka has a US Senator whose professional attire is shorts, a hoody, and tennis shoes in chambers, and on TV. What message does this send? Is this the new definition of “Dress for Success?”
This is now the precedent for things to come. It’s more important to be an individual and insist that ‘Merka conforms to your needs, than following traditional dress codes. Maybe we should follow NASCAR’s example, and have congress – the opposite of progress, wear coveralls with their sponsors’ patches on them. At least then, we’d know who they were working for…
Again the ‘de rigueur’ response is “Absolutely.”
This is ‘Merka!
History and our constitution are like so much of the baggage we drag along on every adventure or jaunt. If it serves no purpose, why is it there?
We have it, why not use it… Or why have it, at all.
Mother discarded our maps, and picked the destination and course we’re on. Only She knows where we’re bound and the path that leads to Her ultimate destination… wherever that is; but to be sure, it’s not what our founders had in mind.
Regardless, Mother Knows Best; just ask Her… She’ll bury the true destination in platitudes, and bromides that misdirect and respond with meaningless clichés, banal disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation, in true obfuscatory fashion.
You don’t need to know…
Mother has our best interests in mind.
If you’re confused by my references to Mother; She represents the present regime, the ‘Merkan Gubmint, much like Orwell’s reference to Big Brother in his novel 1984. I like to think of it as an adaptive cadge imposing on Orwell’s generosity.
Plagiarism, is such an ugly word… It’s like the word blackmail… extortion is much more elegant.
Our maps, directions are crumpled-up like the old paper ones in the center-console, under the fast-food napkins, straws, an old box of tissues, illegible ancient car registration and proof of insurance documents. There might even be a tire pressure guage if you’re old enough to remember those.
Hey look… there’s that lost set of keys…
Your glovebox or center-console is an automotive-archeological trove…
Is that a mummified finger, or an old ‘Der Wienerschnitzel’ hotdog?
Better Red than Dead!
No… I do not favor Communism; this is a jue de mots on the 1950s’ Red Scare and a rephrase of the original – Better Dead Than Red, meaning that; “I’d rather die than be a Communist.”
This word-play represents our plethora of selections… There are TWO!
In this divisive time in ‘Merka, we have a binary choice – Democrat (Blue) or Republican (Red). There is of course a third alternative to which I subscribe – Independent – I actually favor Libertarian – but that’s immaterial to this discussion.
So, facing this binary decision, I’d vote RED – Republican, but as an Independent. Thank the maker, that we do have other choices, yet the choices are less practical, and more popularity based. What chance does an independent or fringe candidate have against the Partisan Political Machinery? Too few voters investigate the essence of the candidate and would rather acquiesce to the talking-heads of the Corporate Media Complex (CMC) – Mother’s little helpers.
Which exit did this republic take, heading toward “Hell for Certain” on the road trip of our ‘Constitutional Republic?
The answer is in the question… funny how that happens…
Mother decided to exploit the US Constitution, because Her ends justify the means.
There it is again…
You see… the founders of America created an unparalleled roadmap call the Constitution of the United States of America – the guide of the republic; but it’s only valuable, if you use it, and follow it.
We didn’t, so here we are again. Lost and foundering on the rocks… in our sinking ship of state.
In the eons that preceded GPS, people used printed papers with multiple dots and marks representing destinations, and lines that defined borders and paths between the destinations. The oldest of which is the “Imago Mundi” map of the world from the 6th Century BCE; it offers a unique perspective of our world at that time.
Do you still remember borders? It’s only been 3 ½ years, and the denotation has mutated from a necessary limitation to define our country, to the derogatory definition for colonialism and racism. Intent is somewhere in the horribly misunderstood and maligned document I referenced earlier. That’s what happens when your ends justify the means. (There it is again…)
I can remember family trips when I was a youngling, I was in charge of reading and minding the maps. Dad knew exactly where we were going, but he repeatedly asked me to show him where we were on that map. I was learning by doing. My map-skills grew as I did, until I could even recommend alternative routes for scenic diversions, and most importantly – refold those paper maps perfectly, and fit them neatly in the glovebox. I learned the importance and value of maps. I carry printed maps to this day: I can still fold them, too.
The Constitution of the United States of America is like the typical old paper map in the glovebox or center console of the modern vehicle; crumpled and buried under all manner of detritus, ignored and forgotten because we have new and better methods of navigation; we have Congress – the opposite of progress, and their minions in the CMC, as the republic’s GPS, telling us where to go, turn by turn; conveniently interpreting their map for us.
We’ve reached the point in our trip, where the passengers – the citizens – are oblivious to our destination, trusting our navigator. They can’t even check where we are or read the map, since we have no idea of the destination… Maybe Mother just makes this shit up as we ‘merrily roll along’. But that’s not possible, you can’t ruin a republic if you don’t have a plan.
The Australian Aboriginals have a rite of passage called ‘Walk-About.’ It’s a 6-month solo physical and spiritual journey of transition from youth to adulthood through the bush (outback) helping them learn reliance on their skills, self-sufficiency, and grow closer to their cultural heritage.
America is well past our 6-month walk-about expedition. Either we’ve become gypsies, or we’re completely lost. I think it’s the latter… We’re lost!
Fortunately, we have a map – our constitution to guide, to get us back on track. But like every change, you must want to change. It cannot be forced upon you. The gradual slide toward socialism didn’t happen overnight, it took decades to lay the groundwork for this treachery. Yet, here we are, 248 years after our independence, staring down the double-barreled Shit-Gun of the Nationalist American Socialist Party.
The problem facing ‘Merka is that we don’t seem to want to change. We continue to make the same bad choices that got us where we are now.
We continue down the road to ‘Hell for Certain’ rather than the route to ‘Normal.’
The republic is not for us, we’re here for the Republic, and every politician in it. We’re the means to their ends. We provide the cash and the labor to support the systems that should be here to protect us, not enslave us.
No, I am not for a welfare state, but temporary assistance is the right thing for those in need, but it should be transitory, not a life-style.
Unfortunately, this temporary relief becomes the norm and people forget how to fend for themselves. It’s now a way-of life for 99.1 million people, and does not include 70.6 million receiving assistance from the Social Security Administration. That’s 3 in 10 ‘Merkans – 1/3 of our population is on the dole – receiving money from the government.
Social Security“ provides financial protection for our nation’s people, supporting Americans throughout all of life’s journeys. They administer retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits, and enroll individuals in Medicare. It’s a plan to provide a foundation of income on which workers can build to plan for their retirement. It enumerates that it is a supplement for retirement, not a retirement plan.”
Social Security is Mother’s piggy-bank… so far, She’s borrowed $2.9 Trillion, and has repaid… Wait for it… Wait for it… NOTHING! Not a dime of those pilfered funds.
That’s right citizens… Mother plundered the money, your money entrusted to Her for your retirement, and spent is on Her own programs, with no intention of repayment… ever!
We got Screwed Again, and we didn’t even get dinner or a kiss…
Gee, Thanks Mom…
I could go on, but it’s pointless. If you really cared, you wouldn’t re-elect these political miscreants’ term, after term, after term, only perpetuating the problem, but never solving it.
Yes… They the lesser’s of all evils.
We’re at the bottom of the barrel. Do we start digging, or should we return to the old ways of using the printed map call the US Constitution.
It’s OUR choice, not theirs.
WE choose the roads and paths for this republic, Not Mother!
These people work for us – please note that this US also signifies the United States.
It’s not coincidental at all…
Maybe the “Talking Heads” were right…
“We’re On The Road to Nowhere…”
~ Unabashedly ~
A person with a beard and glasses
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Thank you…
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
July 10, 2024
~ The Author ~
Charles R. Dickens was born in 1951, is a veteran of the Vietnam war, for which he volunteered, and the great-great grandson of the noted author, whose name he shares.
He is a fiercely proud American, who still believes this is the greatest country on the planet, with which we’ve lost control and certainly our direction. He grew up in moderate financial surrounding; we’re not rich by any stretch, but didn’t go hungry – his incredibly hard working father saw to that. As most from that era, he learned about life from his father, whose story would take too long to tell, other than to say that, he is also a fiercely proud American; a WWII and Korean war, veteran Marine.
Charlie was educated in the parochial system which, demanded that you actually learn something, and have capability to retain it before you advance. He attended several universities in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree, and chased the goose further to a master’s, and has retained some very definite ideas about education in this country.
In addition, Charlie is a retired blues guitar and vocalist – a musician. This was his therapy career. Nothing brings him as much joy as playing music, and he wishes that he could make a living at it… but alas… life goes on!
That’s Charlie… a proud, opinionated, and passionate American.