Monday, March 30, 2009

Your Life Is Now

Your Life Is Now - video

I can't embed this video, so click on the link to hear the song.

I'm currently listening to this song in my car. I keep listening to this song as if it were a mantra, a sort of "what would you do" kind of song.

We're still in the pits of a down and dirty political campaign. We've now got proof of voter fraud and the State's Attorney and local Bureau of Investigation has opened a case, but will they be able to find enough proof to convict before the election? Is there any way, with the local paper in the back pocket of the corrupt administration to get this information to the voters before they vote for a candidate who has been lying to them and buying votes?

I know I'm old enough to have seen this all before and I really shouldn't be so affected by dishonesty and corruption, but yet I am. Each time I witness something like this, it's like someone has sucker-punched me in the gut. I am stunned at the audacity to cheat. Incensed at the arrogance that "this is just how it's done." Where did this Polly-Anna core in me come from? At age 45 I still expect everyone to be honest, to do the right thing, to play by the rules. Logically I know that they don't, so why do I continually expect it?

I know it's this core in me, this indignation, that makes me get in there and fight for change. And I know that is a good thing. There's this idealism in me that honestly believes, things won't change until good people stand up and demand change. And if I won't stick my neck out there and do it, how can I expect anyone else to?

It's funny. I think of these crooks as children and I wonder at their character then. Did they ever possess this core of honesty, this sense of right and wrong? Were they corrupted along the way? I want to ask these guys, "did you ever think when you were a child, that you would grow up to become one of the bad guys?"

Here are the some of the lyrics in the John Mellencamp song that speak to me:

Would you teach your children to tell the truth?
Would you take the high road if you could choose?

Do you believe you're a victim of a great compromise?
Cus I believe, you change your mind and change our lives.

Your life is now
Your life is now
Your life is now

In this undiscovered moment,
lift your head up above the crowd.
We could change this world,
if you would only show us how.
Your life is now.

Would you teach your children to tell the truth
This is your time here to do what you would do.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, Baby, yep it's in your core, how it got there really hard to tell. But it never does go away, just try not to make your self sick over it. It can eat you up. And that core that you still have, some that had it, grow tired. Have to beleive that what goes around comes around also. All things will right them selves some how. Personally would like to control, things, but one can not. L Ya.

Larena said...

Ditto what they said and never give up your core just do what you can without comprimising your quality of life....L

tshsmom said...

I'm still trying to balance myself between banging my head against a brick wall and pitting myself against something I can change. I have finally accepted the fact that there is too much wrong in the world for me to personally conquer it all...so I pick my fights.

Anon, whom I assume is P, said it best. We MUST believe that "what goes around, comes around"!

I've always told my kids that they'll never be rich, because they're missing the ruthless gene. In order to be rich, you have to be willing to step on the little guy as you claw your way to the top. My family just doesn't have it in us, and I thank God for that fact every day!

BTW, I LOVE the song! I'm a huge Mellencamp fan!

VV said...

Pat, that's the thing that keeps me going sometimes, hoping that these people will reap what they sow.

Larena, I try not to, but every so often, when it gets down to the wire, you have to compromise your quality of life. I feel like I need to do everything humanly possible now, so that if the unthinkable happens and we don't win, I won't be second-guessing myself, wondering if I could have done more.

Tshsmom, I try to pick my battles too, but sometimes they just reach out and pick me and I feel like I have to fight back or get run over. Believe it or not, this all started back in 2006 when the current mayor told me to my face that she was basically going to break the law and screw the citizens. I've been fighting this battle since then to get her and her cronies out of office. One seat at a time, we're getting there.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

As old as I am...I too, STILL hope that people will be honest and forthright, etc., etc...ALL the things you said....And I am almost 38 years older than you....But these are the Values of "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", and Abe Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson....So, I encourage you to keep fighting for truth and for "right"....I believe that this country and maybe the whole world is filled with Sociopaths now...And WE have Bred Them, I am sorry to say.....

I SO admire your fighting all of this corruption....This is the RIGHT way...The Correct way....! BRAVA TO YOU, MY DEAR!

tweetey30 said...

Not sure which one I heard today on the radio while coming home from the Dr's office but I heard something of his. Great song. This is so sad to hear really.But its in every election. Doesnt matter if its for local or whole does it?? Yikes.. Hope you can fix it soon before the election.

That girl said...

I've never heard of this song before, but the lyrics sounds pretty good. It all starts with the children, you're right.

Although, have you seen some of these teenagers today? Oh my word!!!

They are scary!

Anonymous said...

That Girl, you are correct, that there are a lot of scary teenagers out there, and as old lady said it, we all bred them, but take heart there are some really fine young folks out there, they have a brain, they have been taught right from wrong, and even some of those who have been taught, they still have to fight with what the world bombards them with, all the junk, and III stuff. "Teach your children well & time will tell. Think that is part of a songs lyrics, from the 70's. Tsmom, yep its me. how are you, lost your e-mail again..P
K, still watch your back, folks like the current Mayor really injoys threats, and that sounded like a personsonal challange, guess can understand, why the fight.p

maeve said...

Many ordinary people whose seemingly small contributions have changed the lives of many people ...if it were not for some of these ordinary people where would life be? Stick with your core gutt feeling ... and be proud of what you have accomplished!!! You go girl!! Personally I hate dirty politics! But I think it hapeens to often becuase "the people" often do not look at all the "true ISSUES"!! And so often dirty polotics are rwarded by the syetem. Well anyway off the soap box I come ... be proud of what you stand for, take a deep cleasing breath and move forward!

CK, here’s the tattoo

  From sketch to transfer to tattoo