A Clean Sweep: What We Want May Not Be What We Get

It was a clean sweep, as it turns out, and the so-called "transition" in motion, our world has become inundated with "news" about appointments. Do you know these people? Likely some or most of them. But all - as in really know them? For most of us who don't obsess over politics all the time, likely not.

But maybe what we all want is best summarized by "something better." Let's face it, recent years have brought a lot of unpleasantness and outright conflict on the political front. And despite what the government and the legion of mainstream economists have claimed, the economy hasn't been all that friendly to the basic bread and butter middle class folks, especially those with families. One stark example: Wages have not kept up with expenses - for years. So the standard of living has either dropped, or - as is the case for many - credit cards have stepped into the breach. And, of course, that can only go on for so long, right?

As for the "something better" that we want, a few thoughts.

First off, define "something better," will ya? It depends, doesn't it? There was a slug of folks who believed - and likely still believe - that all that DEI stuff, all that woke stuff, and the accoutrements that they spawned was, indeed, something better. And to the extent that they are fully committed to keeping that stuff alive and well, they'll likely do all they can to not simply defend the territory gained, but will continue to raid the countryside to expand their hold on our hearts and minds.

Good luck with that.

On the flip side, there's the slug of folks who didn't care for the "something better" of the first slug. Indeed, these apparently just expressed their political will in sufficient numbers to now gain some sort of upper hand. They'll likely look to counter the incursions that have driven many of them to the edge.

Hence the conflict will likely continue. 

As for the appointments, the first slug has likely been gritting their teeth, while the second may, for the most part, be sipping champagne as one after another of the announcements is made. Yes, "they" will make it all better - so they think.

But how often does what we want turn into what we get? All the time? Nah. Sometimes? More likely.

And it's the expanse of the "sometimes" that will determine how things unfold now in the coming months - or likely at least two years.

Why two years, rather than four? Well, it wouldn't be a shock if voters rejiggered things so that at least one of the House or Senate flips back to the other side. Thence sand will grind the gears of any momentum built up after the clean sweep.

Still, two years is two years. Some things can get done.

Of course, depending on the thing itself, two years may not really be sufficient. But sometimes if you start something it kind of goes on under its own momentum.

One example of the will this really get done: the DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency. "Efficiency"? Seriously? Think about that: a government bureaucracy that's efficient. And when have we ever seen this? Oh, right, the Post Office - which was once an official agency of the government. They say that was efficient. Was it?

In any case. if it was the Department to Reduce Government Inefficiency, that one might stand a chance of making some progress. But then again, calling it that is likely too "negative," hence less appealing. So the current title remains under the leadership of Elon and Vivek. So be it.

What about the massive flood of illegal immigrants? Well, maybe there's one where we can hope to see some positive change. After all, DT did address this somewhat in his first go-round. But do we really think that "massive" deportations can be managed? One sees references to the "Operation Wetback" program under President Eisenhower in the 1950s. But not only were these different times, but the numbers were far less than what's out there today. Nevertheless, this one deserves a "wait and see" with a wish and a hope - at least for those of us who understand the insanity and danger of allowing anyone and anything into the country with not restraint.

We could go on with specifics, but let's just sum it all up with that "Golden Age" that's being touted. Of what does that consist?

If it's about reviving the economy, OK, that's something we get. But for any economic "miracle" to matter to most of us, it's got to include all - or mostly all - of us, not just the crew that's benefited in recent years to the detriment of the bulk of us.

But what of the cultural and social decline? Do we think that'll reverse or at least slow down? Those who see everything through economic lenses likely think that if folks prosper, they'll be better folks. But is that really true? Will a better Balance Sheet for the average Joe result in a return to lasting marriages, children born in wedlock, folks knowing and doing their best to live according to the Ten Commandments? 

Will a better Balance Sheet revive the tawdry "artistic" products we've been inundated with for decades? Will it wake people up to the horror of killing innocent life in the womb in huge numbers? Will it turn people back into real living and breathing human beings from the mechanistic units that we've all accepted as our lot in society.

On this last point, just think of how we've all been crammed into data sets and how everything we think, say, and do is considered in terms of its quantity and category. The individual soul, created by God to know, love, and serve Him has been lost in tall this mess. We're all jammed into one cohort or another, to serve out our "productive" role in society, kind of similar to what the Communists put into motion with Lenin, Stalin, and Mao. 

Well, things are getting overheated, as you can see. So let's take a deep breath now. And let's just say that if we really want something better that accords with the True, the Good, and the Beautiful, understood as all that serves God and neighbor for the common good, well, we may want a lot more than what we're likely to get.

But perhaps it's best to just give these "Golden Age" folks a shot and see what happens.