I Rant, Therefore I Am

I can understand how I might come off as arrogant, or a cry baby, or an agitator. I am good with that. In many ways I accept and embrace those characterizations.

Truth is, I am very fortunate to live in one of the nicest places on the East Coast. You can make an argument that the East Coast of this country is the greatest place on Earth. I have a wonderful wife and an incredible daughter.  Our debts are low(relatively speaking) and are income is looked upon nationally as above average.

Why should I be so upset, sarcastic and surly?

Because I can.  

And as I toured Zuccotti Park the other afternoon it struck me that is precisely what "Occupy Wall Street" is all about.

The movement is born out of frustration and a need to exercise our unalienable rights. More importantly, the collective freedom of speech is very much alive and kicking. It is what separates us from other countries. It is why our military has not begun shooting rubber bullets into demonstrators. It is the gift of raising your voice and choosing to ignore others.  

So you can choose to ignore the movement and look at the Wall Street occupants as hippie punks with nothing else to do.  After my short stay there I am apt to believe that element is too visible.

Or you could rally around the cause and make every effort to change the system. Again, after my tour, a part of me thinks this movement could actually change the way America works if it gains strength, clarity and an enigmatic leader.

What we should all agree on is the longer this continues, the better we should feel about our country's future.

It is clear President Obama has been overwhelmed by the massive issues of our day. Could any man or woman have come into this job and changed our fates for the good? I really don't think a Palin/McCain ticket was going to prevent my family from losing $25,000 in our 401(k) last quarter. Obama could do better, no argument here. But folks on both sides of the aisle have bloody hands.  

And I really don't want to get started on Obama's opponent next year either. At this point I can't tell the difference between the "Saturday Night Live" parodies and the actual Republican debates. Who can I realistically support from the candidates? I mean it. I am asking. I would not want to meet or have dinner with any of them. If I am that disinterested in you as a human I really don't want you running the show.

So who cares if the protesters are marching mere footsteps from the largest New York City ongoing construction project in recent memory. Give them your love when they demand more jobs.

And when you see the Tea Party protesters protesting the protest send them your regards. Cause we all have voices. When we stop using them and trying to make a difference the enemy is winning.

Ok, it's unclear who our enemy is. Fact is, many times, we are.  I know my biggest shortcomings were self-inflicted. When we open our mouths and demand something better, we have already won.

My whispers about garbage men and New Jersey transit might seem arbitrary and trivial. I would argue the exact opposite. This is the only life I will live on Earth. If, for some reason only a trained psychotherapist can explain, squirrels ransacking my garbage really upsets me, I will address it. If I am unhappy perhaps I am a less attentive husband. Maybe I raise my voice at dinner to a daughter who doesn't deserve it. Then she gets upset.  Etc...

Whispers turn into shouts in an instant.  So I understand and have an appreciation for what is happening on Wall Street. There are flaws and many logistic issues that surround it. I am, however, going to root for its longevity.  

Things could be better in this country. Who am I, very much in the 99 percent, to get in the way of reform.

After all, maybe the garbage will be picked twice a week again if all goes well. 

For more please log onto:  guidetosomewhere.blogspot.com 

Some other tracks I cannot stop listening to:  Deerhunter "Desire Lines" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW2jOA6uIaM

Portugal the Man "So American"  Excited to see them Thursday in NYC!!!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iww-l4UtygE

Wilco "Born Alone"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUDgkgr7Fuo

'Til next week folks... thanks for reading!