Are We Aboard a Sinking Ship?
As I drive around our suburban communities these past few weeks I’m overly impressed by the beauty of our trees. The foliage of the late fall colors of the autumn leaves is just stunning. I love the poem “TREES” written by Joyce Kilmer written in 1913. It begins, “I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree…”
Yes, I see the scattering of political signs reminding us to vote for certain candidates and ballot measures. The signs don’t match the splendor of the trees. I fondly recall our longtime columnist and friend Mort Marks talking about a well-known City of Centennial council member accused of lifting a few election signs. Mort wisely said, “You don’t steal the signs, you just turn them around.”
By now voters have been provided the state’s “Blue Book” that won’t make The Denver Post best seller list for fiction, or non-fiction.
In reading the national book review listings I see Liz Cheney has dropped off the list and Melania Trump is number one with her book “Melania.” Is that a sign of the times?
After reading The Sunday Denver Post, I see Littleton columnist Krista Kafer advocating a “NO” vote on all the ballot measures. I rather hinted at that in my column last week but made some ballot endorsements anyway. I do think that we need to keep our political parties intact by “NO” on Prop 131. I think we would create a huge vacuum where only money would influence candidate selections rather than leadership experience and public service beyond the holy dollar. I suggested leaving the courts intact and leaving the “Cat Hunting” measure to the Colorado Game, Fish and Wildlife Department who monitor Colorado wildlife welfare consistently and carefully. And I don’t believe that private schools or abortion need to be placed in the state constitution on how we govern, not personal life choices.
I’m a strong supporter of public education and feel that mandatory education is one reason that America has been so successful in our nation’s history. We’re a smart, hard-working country, and we want to stay that way. Spending money on local schools is a good investment for the present and the future. It pains me to see millions of dollars spent on political races rather than homeless assistance, school facilities and teachers’ salaries. The same can be said about billions being spent on professional sports. Players making multi-millions of dollars for making baskets and tossing footballs. Tickets to the World Series selling for $1700 for what is billed as “America’s Pastime.” The games are sold out, some pastime and the Yankees trailing 3-0 heading home to New York.
This election seems to be a war between the TV stations. I will watch FOX and then turn to CNN to see opposing opinions. Both are biased, so take your pick according to your political views. I think the success of the pay subscriber movie channels is because so many voters have become unaffiliated and grown weary of media bias. Many now just prefer the Broncos, Rockies, and Avalanche along with a vast national menu of sporting events, and outstanding movies.
We have become addicted to sports over politics. We could be on the verge of a third World War with a nuclear catastrophe with Iran close to having a nuclear bomb. Maybe, they already have one purchased from North Korea that is now sending thousands of troops to assist Russia in their war with Ukraine. Sports are important but elections determine the future of our very lives and nation. We should pay attention! I keep comparing America to the ancient Roman empire that became enthralled with free bread and gladiators at the Coliseum while the barbarians were preparing to destroy them. Instead of Rome maybe we need to remember dancing on the deck of the Titanic before it hit an iceberg and sank. Famous Colorado pioneer Molly Brown rescued people from the sinking ship. Is America a sinking ship?
The collapse of our borders is one of the greatest tragedies in our history. We will be reaping this debacle for decades in crime and violence along with enormous fiscal challenges to education and public health.
It is, what it is, and we’ll see what the election unfolds.