This week I interviewed a realtor for a news story in the local paper. We talked about property values, what makes Brandon a great place to live, the future of the housing market, consumer confidence, and the economy in general.
Then I asked what single factor has the potential to positively impact our local economy in general, and the housing market in particular. She didn’t miss a beat:
I can’t wait for this election to be over,” she said. “Once the campaign started in earnest the negative energy just spiraled down. Both parties are guilty. We had the beginnings of a strong recovery in 2011, but then the politicians sucked all the confidence out of the market. I don’t really care who wins, so long as it’s over soon…
SABOTAGE: It seems to me, as a fairly objective observer, that far too many people in politics want things to not only look bad but actually be bad. It’s getting to look a lot like the firefighter who sneaks out at night as an arsonist. That way he can sound the alarm, jump in his fire truck, put the fires out and come off like a hero.
Yesterday I listened to a conservative commentator admit that he’s actually happy when he hears bad news on the economy. In fact, he said, he’d like to see more stress on the consumer, including higher gas prices. Why? Because that would increase the likelihood that Romney will win in November.
Really? Come on, people. Have we come to the place now where people are comfortable with the sabotage… because it ultimately leads to the opportunity for their ideology to play fireman and show up with a hose?
Newsflash, Mr. (and Ms.) Politician. You don’t have a hose big enough to put out the kind of fire you’re starting when you go down that road.
GOOD NEWS: But there is – I’m convinced – good news. There is enough money, there are enough resources, and we have enough imagination to restore economic stability to this economy. All that needs to happen is for enough people to believe.
And so, Ms. (and Mr.) Politician, instead of trying to suck the life out of this wonderful country by moaning and complaining and sabotaging all the time, how about putting your heads together and acting in a way that will stoke our confidence instead of fueling the fire?
Just a thought – DEREK
no one i vote for will ever win, but i refuse to vote democrat or republican anymore. Every election i’m going to find an independent that’s halfway decent and vote for them. yes, it may be a vote AGAINST the establishment, it may be a throw away vote, but i’m doing it. for the rest of my life until something changes. and maybe, eventually, if everyone else gets sick of voting for puppets that just respond to the highest campaign donor, all these throw-away votes will start to add up.
But then would that even matter? the corporate lobbyists would just start throwing cash at the independents. would they (the independent candidates) be strong enough to say no to all that influence? well, i started out trying to make a point about the corrupting influence of a Plutocracy but there will always be rich people who want things just so and everyone else has to lump it. maybe there’s nothing we can do and it doesn’t matter. maybe the only way to win is not to play.
Amen brother! Amen!
Great thoughts and so true. I believe it could start by those running for office communicating what they are going to do to improve things rather than spend all of their time attempting to discredit their opponent. It’s a sad state of affairs. It’s the same with our discipleship. We need to speak of all of the positives of our life-charged faith instead of telling he unchurched how wrong they are. Stay positive!
Derek, it’s hard to beat the combination of a Derek and Rebekka Maul. We need more people like you two, preaching and writing and encouraging Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public. I would add one thing only. We need not only enough people to believe, but those who will put their belief into action in how they vote and how they live. Peace, Taylor Hill, Bradenton, FL.
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Good to hear from you, Taylor!
Always good to hear from you, Taylor.
Good comment – DEREK
“But there is – I’m convinced – good news. There is enough money, there are enough resources, and we have enough imagination to restore economic stability to this economy. All that needs to happen is for enough people to believe.”
…excellent!
We need ways to get people motivated about enhancing their political footprint — and I think by now it is obvious that online media is our best option. By leveraging the resources and imagination each individual could bring to a debate we can efficiently address complex issues through online collaboration.
The Picket Project is working on an intuitive AMERICAN collaboration tool that will tap into the thoughts and opinions of everyone in this country who wants to improve our great nation.
http://blog.picketproject.org
http://www.picketproject.org