by Jerri Akins

Created on: June 29, 2008

Where was it along the way that Uncle Sam became the evil stepfather? When exactly did the benign parent who was looking out for the welfare of his children, become a parent we dread?

Somewhere along the way his lips tightened, and his eyes narrowed until he now stands stern-faced, and snapping his fingers every time we sell a glass of lemonade, demanding an incredible portion of the profits, which he then takes and goes shopping, always, always spending even more than he took, and driving himself and us further into unsalvageable financial ruin. And we, the children-the victims-stand looking at our pathetic little lemonade stand, trying to find the heart to continue. Knowing that no matter how many glasses we sell, it won't be enough, because the more we sell, the more he takes.

It doesn't take long with this scenario for the children to start trying to hide from the one we once respected. Trying to pilfer a little of our money to the side, so we can buy lemons for tomorrow's trade. But if we are discovered at this, we are cuffed on the ears and called cheaters, thieves.

I submit that this is beyond cheating and thievery. This is children trying to survive ABUSE. Abuse by our government. Caught in the same mental turmoil and agony of any abused child, we are torn between loyalty and hopelessness. We have no pride, no self-esteem. And our benefactor, our protector, stands over us, saying, "I am doing this for your own good. If you had any sense you would know what is good for you. But you don't. You are merely children, and not very bright ones at that. So I will do the thinking for you. Now, do as you are told, because I am the parent, and I have the authority to punish you."

This is abuse in every sense of the word.

Aren't the grownups paying attention? Hasn't anyone noticed that our pride has become bitterness? That patriotism has become white rage? I submit to you that the graffiti is on the wall.

Democracy? Don't play games. We have spit in the face of that noble notion. Exercise your right to vote, they say. Make a difference. But the office to which we elect has a decayed foundation, full of stench. Who is it that describes the function of the office? Who draws the boundaries of morality and decency and fair play around the offices to which we elect candidates? And, pray tell, what happens to those people whom we elect to office? It seems that in a blink of the eye they go from being "one of us" to "one of them". Ideals change. They seem, in fact, to evaporate. Like the awe and honesty that sometimes leaves children when they become "adults".
How long do we take it? How long do we continue to make excuses, saying, "America, love it or leave it." Or "It may not be the best, but what are the options? Look at other countries."

THAT IS NO LONGER GOOD ENOUGH. So what if other governments are rotten, too? That doesn't mean ours isn't! And even if we are grading on a curve, our government is still failing. And just as you cannot continue to make excuses for rotten parents, you cannot continue to make excuses for a rotting government.

Show me now, please, the shelter for abused citizens. Take me there.

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