Well...then...you die

A couple of weekends ago, a gentleman I've been following spiritually told the following little story (or something close to it):

A man, Robert, walks up to me and asks if I can write his eulogy. The man has heard that I'm a decent writer. He knows little about me, though, and how direct I can be. Regardless, he goes on to ask me to write a great eulogy that is both effective but brief. So, I begin: Here lies Robert, a man that has sought those things that he did not have (Robert looked at me, plainly unamused), a man that fought ferociously to keep what he had; then Robert died. Robert, clearly not happy with my attempt at meeting his needs, walked away embittered.

As you know, we tend to discuss political and socio-economic subjects in this blog. How does this little story relate to our political reality? Well, on the surface, one might conclude that it doesn't really connect. However, if one digs a little deeper, I think there is a vein of tangible wealth.

As a nation, not unlike other nations, we live our political and bureaucratic lives wanting many, many things - things for our people, things for our allies, and things from our enemies. It is only natural that our citizens also fall in step with this approach. This mercantile spirit rages, day and night, throughout the land. The welfare state mushrooms for both the individual and corporation to reap many goodies. The things that we get we work very hard to keep. I guess, as a free-market guy, I'm generally okay with this. However, there is a slight twinge in my side, now and again, every time I see just how far this aggregate mercantilism has gotten us. Debt. War. Corruption. Anxiety. Wash and repeat.

I know there are good things as well: places to see, people to meet, and passions to play through. But, are they enough? Is all of this political aggrandizement good for us? Are we better off? I guess the answer, one that I can't stand to hear, is, "I don't know." That, in itself, has cause for some alarm. Now, where is that bell?

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. On a decidedly different note, I'm very proud of my little brother, the poet, for completing his MFA. That is all.