Maddness flows over our world today. Not like it once was. Now its a tsunami. The voices on the radio and in people's heads tell them that Greed is the new good, that the old worlds problems are still the best problems, that the old methods still work. In the end its a call to pretty please keep things going the way they were even if there isnt a road heading in that direction.
Its possible now, when driving on the road to wonder who is in other cars. Is it a chain smoking, vein in the temple bulging kinda person listening to the latest theory on how libruls and george soros created the economic meltdown? How bout a Wall Street banker thinking of ramming his car into oncoming traffic over his tiny bonus. Worst would be the folk who think its family values that got us in this mess, and if only we could get back to Right...we would be okey dokey.
I rode to work with the later this morning.
Its a peaceful drive past Mililani. Pretty mountains. Usually a light misty rain. Its dangerous though. Thats where mid trip conversations can take a turn for shear flowering crazy train ticket buying insanity. Its probably that red Hawaiian dirt. Or the driver.
I make my living finding common ground with Republicans, you have to when you're probably the only Democrat in the Battalion. Usually, you make jokes, talk movies and sport, and stay away from politics. Course when I read about how billions were given away in bonuses, i figured that could be something my friend and I could talk about. Who doesn't like to hate on money grubbing execs taking cash from the public trough? I know I do.
Things went sideways on me however, when we went to the overall condition of the economy.
"I may not be an economist, but I think people are overreacting. Things aren't as bad as they say it is."
I deal with statements like these all the time. ALL the time. I can't tell you how many times I have heard some variation of it. I go into the whole "well if finacial institutions actually fail, we will probably have a meltdown as bad as the depression." Course I am unprepared for what comes next:
"Really, I don't think that things are going to effect me. I have been praying to God. It's not a head issue, it's a faith issue. Christians are going to be taking care of others who lose their jobs."
Cars rushing by, window letting in a little mist. Strapped into a one ton vehicle with someone who prays for money. I was begining to get the Fear. Before I could even unravel what had been said:
"The thing that is bothering me most right now is there are some outside intrests trying to change the will of the voters in the state. They are trying to underhandedly make civil unions legal in Congress."
I of course brought up civil rights, as well as separation of church and state. I find that some folk just dont think about things till they hear something they haven't been told before. But hard as things are, they get harder:
"My pastor says the church doesn't hate the gays, they just have to hear what is said in the bible. We got to get back to God you know?"
So, it was pretty quiet after that. Quiet like when someone has farted in an elevator with only two people in it. I go with the only topic I can bring up safely.
"kinda cold today," I said.
"Yeah, shows what they know about global warming."