Hope on the
Trampoline
Charlie Earl
One of the
lines from Alexander Pope’s “Essay on
Man” exclaims that “hope springs eternal in the human breast.” This astute
observation illustrates why so many people purchase lottery tickets (state-run
gambling). The poetic line also explains why so many voters cast their ballots
against their own self interests. They appear to hope that the indicators
suggesting a particular candidate holds principle different theirs will
dissolve once the happy warrior assumes office. They hope beyond hope that THIS
candidate will be the faithful one who takes her or his oath of office
seriously. Conversely, others dare to hope that their preferred office seeker
will be the innkeeper who turns open the spigots of government revenue for
their plundering. It is our nature to waver between hope and despair in
national, personal or human affairs. Often it seems that when the times are
darkest, hope springs forth.
One of the
great advantages of my being a curmudgeonly commentator is that I have a
literary license for examining the dark side of our social, moral and political
existence. Curmudgeons are cranky grumblers, and I have catapulted the attribute
into the stratosphere of disgruntled discontent. Like you, however, I do
experience moments of unreasonable optimism and hope. Like you, I can find no
rational justification for my tiny fits of feel-good frenzy. Unlike you,
however, I temper my irrational moments by analyzing current events through the
harsh prism of liberty. You and others like you see a little gain or a
perceived advantage from one party, candidate or policy, and your automatic “hope
response” kicks in. You want the statement to be true, definitive and absolute.
My curmudgeonly antennae direct me to respond with cynical skepticism. In my
view….when we are allowed to RETAIN a portion of our freedom, it suggests that
we will not REGAIN that which has already been lost. You see the slight sliver
of hope for restoration, and I grieve over the liberties lost and opportunities
wasted. While you may do the victory dance that celebrates the present state, I
am weeping over all the dances that have gone before with tragic outcomes.
Perhaps my
jaded view arises from my four decades of political activism and as a media
practitioner. Back in the early 80’s I was one of those “extremists” who fought
every inch and centimeter of government growth. People from both old parties
condemned my colleagues and me for our unyielding positions and our insistence
that compromising basic principles would lead to losing our freedom. Subsequently….many
of my fellow workers in the vineyards of liberty have become co-opted by the
system, intimidated by their parties or have dropped out of the process
altogether. Blessedly…..some have died and escaped the woeful circumstances
that they presciently predicted while many others have retired to lick their
wounds and weep alone. The march toward tyranny is continuing unabated because
too many voters confuse electoral success with principled victory. Winning isn’t
enough when the aftertaste of victory is bittersweet.
Our varying
views on pragmatism and political reality are similar to people’s views about
crop circles. The most optimistic observers seem to accept that the amazing
designs were created by some benign extra-terrestrial beings. The skeptics assume
that every field-based creation is the product of vandals or hooligans. The
wizened and battle-weary curmudgeon bemoans the waste of valuable crops. Too many
voters expect the next crop of political messiahs to lead us out of the wilderness
of big government, and a few others have decided that any potential political
leader is a hooligan and a thug, so they decide to capitalize on the chaos and
distrust. Meanwhile….the curmudgeons among us are looking for seed to restore
the field.
Finally….the
curmudgeons among us are a testy lot (present company included). We recognize
the slippery slope of compromise that has befallen our nation and its people.
We have discerned that each and every tiny movement away from principle takes
us farther from the standard….the foundation. When our friends, families and
co-workers attempt to nudge us into compromise, we react forcefully…. with horror
and loathing. We become more resolute. We may not have the insight and
understanding of Jeremiah. In fact many of us are second-string, associate,
assistant minor prophets, but we do share something with Jeremiah. We
weep. Jeremiah 6:16.
When one
springs upward with hope on the trampoline of life, one cannot escape the law
of gravity. The critical key is….will one land on the trampoline to repeat the
exercise or land with both feet on the ground?
Charlie Earl
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