Earlier today I was taking my only child to the hospital for an urgent treatment, and came to find the on-ramp to the highway was blocked for repairs. I was frustrated by yet another case of failure by those in power to maintain the highway well enough for the common person.
The other way to the hospital was slower, with traffic and stop lights. Definitely less perfect than the highway.
As I prepared to turn to the other road, I was struck by inspiration. It was the best possible moment to make a statement. I pulled out into the middle of the intersection, stopped, and stood up on top of my car, waving a sign.
As the other motorists honked their support and the helicopters swirled overhead so they could better see my message, I saw I was trending. My protest was getting tens of thousands of hits everywhere! Facebook, Twitter, you name it! Such a great chance for personal expression. How could the media not pick up on this evocative moment, a child endangered by the failure of our system?
Assuming my child survives, I know that when she is old enough to talk, she will affirm her support for my bold stand, even if we don’t actually make it to the hospital. If now is not the right time to draw attention to the systemic problems with the road repair system, then when will it be?
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Our democracy is imperfect. In fact, it has plenty of problems. There are so many changes we should make.
For all its faults, our democracy is fragile. If we lose it, we may never get it back again.
All it will take to end our 240-year experiment is one person, elected by whatever combination of circumstance, who has told us in great detail what he will do — ending freedom of the press, purging the government of any but supporters, and engaging in mass deportations are only part of what has been promised. But don’t worry, it will be only be for the duration of the emergency.
I support Bernie Sanders and everything he stands for — including his decision to endorse Hillary Clinton for President. Bernie has accomplished a great deal in this primary election campaign, and he is now working hard to make sure we have the opportunity to continue our work together. He is keeping his eye on the ball. I’m for that.
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No child was harmed during the writing of this post.
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The original version of the included cartoon was published in The New Yorker; the updated caption is floating around on Facebook.
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James Wells is the author of The Great Symmetry, a science fiction novel that celebrates the freedom of ideas. www.thegreatsymmetry.com (On Amazon: www.amazon.com/...)