What We Do Next.
G has developed an attitude that, as a parent, I find a bit disturbing but as a human, I find totally relatable. I was watching out the window yesterday as a group of men changed the tire on a car. The car was on the road, in the snow and slush. The jack, also on the snow, had raised the tire considerably higher than I would consider necessary. In my opinion, this warranted observation in the event that either the car or the jack slipped, endangering those changing the tire. I stood by, ready to call 911 should anything happen. I casually mentioned my concern to G, who responded with a callous-sounding “Not my problem.”
“Not my problem.” This wasn’t the first time I’d heard those words come from his mouth. What I’ve taken the statement to mean is something along the lines of, “Dad, I’m in the middle of a game. Don’t bother me if it’s not really important.” When he’s focused on something, he hates being distracted. I get it.
What I worry about is that attitude becoming a part of his worldview. There are already too many people who, upon hearing about the LA fires and the tragedies there, respond with, “Not my problem.” They had the same response when hurricanes ripped apart North Carolina last fall. Wars in Gaza and Ukraine? “Not my problem.” The world is going to hell. “Not my problem.”
‘Not my problem’ leads to an isolationist perspective that is dangerous. There has never been a time when it was safe to show no concern for anything or anyone outside yourself. If there is famine in one place, we must be concerned about feeding the people and solving the issue that led to the famine. Why? Because famine leads to disease and diseases spread quickly and easily outside the famine area. Why do we care if Russia invades Ukraine? Because if Russia succeeds in one place, it will quickly move on to another, such as Poland, and then another and another until it achieves world domination that benefits no one. Why do we care about Gaza? Because of the fact that should Israel get its way, an entire ancient and valuable people group could be completely and irrevocably destroyed.
Our entire civilization continues to exist because people care about the condition of other people. We have hospitals because people care. We have medicines and vaccines that work because people care. We have multiple modes of transportation because people care. When humans stop caring about anyone other than themselves, civilization collapses completely.
Does the attitude of one 16-year-old boy deeply engrossed in his video game put the world at risk? No, not at all. But the attitude of an entire nation that is only concerned with the wealth of 0.1% certainly does.
Monday begins the six-week celebration of humanity known as Maha Kumbh Mela. The Hindu sacred event draws over 400 million people to a sacred river. Hindus believe that taking a dip in the river secures their salvation, but all around the event, parties, and parades are celebrating the wonderfulness and spirituality of humanity. This is an amazing celebration of people who care about their souls, their neighbors, their country, and their beliefs. Mardi Gras, by comparison, doesn’t come close to the size and scope of Maha Kumbh Mela.
We need events that celebrate who we are. We need to be reminded on a regular basis that we do not struggle through this world alone. We need to remember that despite differences in our beliefs, where we live, and how we appear, we are still all one humanity, a fraternal gathering of both success and failure, an ecological system that supports growth and learning.
If a car falls on the person changing a tire, that’s my problem. If fire leaves over 100,000 people homeless, that’s my problem. If the price of coffee keeps going up, that’s really my problem. I don’t live in a bubble and neither do you. Exactly what we can do in any given situation might be limited, but we can always do something.
The Broadway musical, ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying‘ has a wonderful take on the whole topic and I think it’s an appropriate way to end this morning’s post. Me, I’ve got you, and you, you’ve got me.
Monday, January 13, 2025
Cancellation.
Nothing about life has ever been certain, not even death and taxes. Sure, they exist, but what form will they take? Can they be put off for another year? Can you make yours more meaningful than anyone else’s? Life doesn’t come with any guarantees and 2025 seems to be the year the universe has decided to emphasize that point.
Twenty-four people are now known dead in the LA fires. Among the victims, an amputee who died next to his son who had cerebral palsy. A resident who refused to leave died with a garden hose in his hands. Annette Rossilli, 85, insisted on staying in her Pacific Palisades home with her dog Greetly, her canary Pepper, her two parrots, and her turtle. Rory Callum Sykes, a former Australian child star, was at the family’s 17-acre Mount Malibu TV Studios estate, where he had his own cottage when it burned down.
Meanwhile, temps across the Midwest are headed back to the bottom of the thermometer by the middle of the week. While there are currently no expectations for additional snow, the severe cold slows recovery efforts and creates additional health problems, especially for those with pre-existing breathing issues (count Kat in with that group).
You’re not the only one feeling as though you’re fighting an uphill battle alone. Winter is always a rough time for those with seasonal depression, but this January is on track to set a new record for violent deaths, including suicide. 988 calls are up dramatically, but there are still thousands who refuse to reach out for help.
There’s an old maxim stating that ‘If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.’ Governments, local, state, and federal, should be leading the charge at finding solutions, but instead, they are the cause of bigger problems. Plows aren’t where they need to be. Fire hydrants are dry. Resources are mismanaged. Legislators are more worried about which committee they’ll be on than providing assistance for their constituents. They’ll approve billionaires for cabinet positions but won’t provide funding for emergency housing.
If there’s going to be a 51st state, it needs to be Puerto Rico, not Canada or Mexico. Invading Greenland only creates more enemies. Interfering with European elections makes the world more unstable. Any ‘war’ on immigrants could have a devastating effect on Social Security. There’s a reasonable fear of a polio resurgence. Even adults may soon be vulnerable to ‘childhood’ diseases, even if you had them as a kid. All of these are things that governments should be addressing, but no, we’re more worried about the ups and downs of the stock market, making sure the rich get richer.
Here’s an idea: complete tax revolt. If billionaires are taking over the government, then they can bloody well pay for it. They have the cash. They could fund the next four years and still be richer than 99% of us. So, why the fuck are people like you and I paying a fucking dime in taxes? I want a full refund. When governments start doing their job, protecting and helping their citizens, then maybe we can talk about people like you and me participating in its funding. Until then, we should keep our money in our pockets.
We’re going to need every dime we have if we’re to survive this year.
Share this:
Like this: