Men in helmets

 "I think a man in a helmet defending his country should make more than a man in a helmet defending a football." ~ from a Facebook meme

The idea is right and most people do agree.  So why isn’t it true?  Because we live in a capitalistic society?  Because we don’t pay enough in taxes?

I don’t know.  I keep hearing about people who want to break away from America, secede and be their own country.  While I understand the reasoning behind it, I don’t think all their problems will be solved if they do this.  I don’t know if there would be a civil war again, but it feels like we are heading back down that road.  Those who believe the government needs to do more and those who believe the government should back out.

But back to men in helmets.  Economists will say that in a market economy, a value is placed on a service and the value is driven up or down based on the supply and demands of the society.  Society demands more football seats, but supply is finite and therefore the price goes up.

Willingly.

I think thats part of the catch.  I don’t like football and don’t want to pay for it.  So you know what?  I don’t.  I don’t go to football games or wear jerseys or have cable or put money into that "service."

Willing or not, everyone pays into the military.  Its part of the governmental spending of our tax dollars.  And honestly, I have no problem with that.  On the surface.

I’m not convinced that we needed to engage in a war in the Middle East.  I’m not convinced we still need military bases all over the world.  Still, willing or not, my money goes to pay for that.

I do not give my money to men in helmets defending a football.

We are a capitalistic society, but if we treat our government, teachers and military the way we treat our sports stars and celebrities, I really don’t think the result would be as great as everyone thinks.

The buck has to stop somewhere.  Someone has to make a decision, call the compromise, field the play.  At somewhere along the arguing line, it has to end.  Decision made.  Next?  But in a country that is so polarized, how can we ever hope to move on to the next thing?  If the reaction of the losing side is always going to be "Fine!  I’m leaving!", how can compromise hope to actually succeed?  If the reaction of the winning side is always "You lost.  Now shut up and suck it up!", how can anything worthwhile actually happen?

The concept of a two-party system was to have smart, intelligent people articulating the argument from opposite sides of the coin, in order to find a sensible, middle ground.  To have a place to come together and find the solution.  But it has become toxically polarized in the country and it makes me so very sad.  I don’t know whats going to happen next.  Everyone is shouting at everyone else and no one is listening to anyone but themselves.

What would happen if the politicians had to switch sides.  For a day.  For a day, they had to honestly fight for the standings and beliefs of their counterpart on the other side of the aisle.  What might happen?

I do not believe in the Muslim religion.  I am a Christian.  But every time I find myself trying to make a point about government from my views, standpoints and religious beliefs, I stop myself and take a moment.  I try to see how someone from "the other side of the aisle" might view the issue.  How would they make this point if they were atheist?  Or Muslim?  Or Hindi?  Or Native American?  Or Cuban?  Or any of the demographics I do not fit into?  How would they argue against me?  I love playing devil’s advocate.  I enjoy it immensely.  Except.

It makes me realize how narrow-minded I can be.  And it makes me see how narrow-minded everyone can be.  And it makes me sad that people are caring less and less for each other and are only concerned for themselves.  I don’t want a law that helps only me, because in the end that law would hurt everybody including myself.  I wish I could get my countrymen to stop fighting for only themselves, to stop campaigning for only themselves.

Because if I fight for you, and you fight for me, we are stronger together than standing apart.  When did America stop fighting for itself and start fighting against itself?

It just makes me sad.