I just finished a book on George Washington called "The Ascent of George Washington" by John Ferling. It largely demythologizes Washington and makes the basic point that the country was founded by wealthy and powerful men who simply wanted to gain more wealth and power.
Self interest, of course, is the well spring of human activity. But, I'm startled by how absorbed I've been into so many myths, believing them and even after seeing through their crap, still remaining emotionally attached.
"The best"... "the greatest"... "the most"...
It took many years for me to become disconnected from Catholicism. I mean I could see its folly; that is, what for me is its folly, but I still felt an emotional attachment to the religion I was raised with. Indoctrinated, as they say.
I still have the same problem with the United States. I see that it's capitalism, and not very pretty capitalism at most times. To wit, the last thirty years of enhancing the wealthy and powerful at the expense of the middle classes. But, indoctrination again-- the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, in particular-- make it difficult for me to feel and really understand how dog eat dog this country is and how it continues to play out that way.
At this point, it looks like November 2 will be a bloodbath in the House and maybe even a loss of the Senate. They say electioneering is still early, but as of next week, after Labor Day, matters begin in earnest.
I keep thinking about having to watch a fight to repeal health care and then endless hearings instigated to drag Obama through the mud, possibly leading to another impeachment charade.
Back to George Washington. He was practically deified after the Revolutionary War and this continued through most of his first term as president. However, with the signing of Jay's Treaty, which kept us out of war with Britain and France and gave us time to settle our own hash, many were so anti-Britain and pro-France that Washington became vilified and called every name in the book much like Obama has gone from a great hope in '08 to the alleged worst president we've ever had in '10.
I suppose it can all be cast off as just politics, but it's more than that. There's a meanness afoot, a bitterness and rancor that defies understanding. As our fellow Americans scrap and fight for revenge, or just more power and wealth, I noticed that Michael Douglas was on David Letterman. He's got stage 4 throat cancer. He claims he'll survive, but here you have a man who's rich and famous. Yet, I'll bet he'd give up most of it to just be a healthy human being.
And, all around him, how many claw for an extra nickel or a little more say over those around them. Like any of it matters. What a dismal atmosphere we're descending into.
I just hope American voters in long run have enough sense to revolt against the revolters.