The Other Side of the Edge…..
A Resolution, …Some Promises, ...and a Caveat
By Joe Facinoli

Anyone who read this column last week, knows that I’m not too crazy about New Year’s resolutions. They’re just so hollow, totally arbitrary, often capricious, and usually bogus.

But other than those few trifles,…completely believable!

Now, having said all that, I have at least one such pledge to put forth myself, which I will be whole heartedly determined to follow through on, during the coming year and beyond.

And some promises too, but they’re all mixed in together, in this giddy time of self-enlightenment, or mandatory self-examination, ….whichever works out best.

First, let me thank all those who have been kind enough to read, and respond to, my weekly dissertations and forays into all matters politic, as well as a few areas more real, a lot more genuine, and certainly more palatable.

From the sounds of things though, I guess I’m not the only one who’s grown weary of the “status quo” in American politics these days. And of the never changing nonsense, negativity, and histrionics, from all sides and parties, which passes for (or is disguised as) responsible representation, of the will of “We the People”.

I, and so many others, it seems, have simply had enough. But what to do, …then??

For those thoughtful folks, of all beliefs and opinions, who enjoy being involved, or “engaged”, in current events, community civics, some sort of public service, or just expressing themselves on important common interests and issues of the day, …...we’re feeling all but shut out.

No place to go, nowhere to speak your mind, and no way to say it.

Not without enduring an all-out assault on one’s creditability, credulity, and any small crevice of weakness or hint of personal impropriety, which can be unearthed for all to see, and then used as peripheral distraction, away from any meaningful thoughts or suggestions which may have been uttered, quietly or otherwise.

It’s a sad pattern,…and tiresome.

But it’s the norm now, and the accepted way that all political discussions and “debates” are supposed to go.

No substance, ever, and if any is displayed, an immediate derailing of that position is set in motion, by any means necessary, whether it makes any sense, is ethical, or even legal, muchless whether it’s on topic, ….or not.

All talking points, all party line, all personal preference, all stated as the “Rule of the Land”. No compromise, no negotiations, all “my way,…or no way.”

Enough.

So, at the request of several kind respondents, and for my own sanity, I hereby promise to do a few things differently, and perhaps then better, in 2014:

--I’m not going to be “married” to the political world, to find subjects of commentary for my weekly offerings.

There’s plenty of other subjects of interest, nationally, and in the far corners and edges of everywhere, to comment on and to bring to light, which have the potential for at least as much impact and/or cause to stop and think about, as this nasty, mostly sewer dwelling “game” of politics.

Some important issues, and current happenings will cry out for alternate comment, and when they do, I will. But, when that need arises.….

--I’m going to “hammer” both sides, or all sides, as the case may be,….with equal passion, and a determination to see things change, and that they be more responsible to, and for, “US”.

I’m going to lump them all together now, this political, oligarchic class of demons, and lesser gods and creatures, which has grown with unchecked abandon (and grown rich in the process), while we looked the other way, ….and trusted them.

If I don’t like what the current administration in DC, or any of the current leadership is doing, or if I think they are on the wrong track, ….an un-Constitutional, dangerous, not in line with the majority of the people …track, then I will say so.

But I’m also going to find equal blame on the other side of the issue, whichever party that may be, for not being strong enough, nor sufficiently skilled enough, to prevent these things from taking place, or being instituted.

Shame on us all,….for letting this happen.

Little by little, we let it. From about twenty minutes after G. Washington and 39 others signed the U.S. Constitution, back in 1787, the will of “the people” has been ever slowly, more and more ignored, …and finally trampled.

WE let it happen, by sending the wrong people to represent us, or by trusting them too much, or by letting ourselves be bought off by promises, and short term money, and other selfish gains, which provided nothing for the long term good of the majority.

It’s time for that to stop.

I promise to promote and shine light on the efforts of anyone who puts OUR will and rights first, and his or her personal enrichment, or aggrandizement, ….second.

I promise to shine that same light on anyone who does otherwise, and who surrounds themselves with the “usual suspects”, and way of doing business, OUR business, for the benefit of a chosen few, and to the detriment of what has become the way too many.

And in equal portions. There’s certainly plenty enough, to be found.

I also promise to write about more individuals. Those who show us the way, by their own selfless, responsible actions, just how it is to live a good and proper life, one in tune with common sense and reality, and the well-being of those around them.

I like “Moments”, and little examples, of how it should be. I promise to share some of these “little things”, from my own experiences as well as those who show up in our national or everyday consciousness, and whose stories should find the light of day, if only in my opinion.

That’s all that I can do. That’s my involvement, …my tool, …my contribution.

So, I will do my best to be less partisan, less unnecessarily nasty and cutting, and less cynical (unless some stray or random situation calls for it, of course---as I’m still me, …by the way!).

But I’m over the need for all of that. And I can see better now, that expressing my opinion in that manner, creates as much ill-will and harm, as it does good.

However, I will be no less dogged in pointing out those things which I feel have gone completely over the top in denying the majority of “We the People” to be properly represented, or, and ALWAYS, any examples of un-Constitutionality, and other illegalities, by our elected or appointed officials.

Laws are laws, and the Constitution is the Law of the Land.

They stand until they are overturned by new laws, or by voted upon amendments, and can only be interpreted by the courts.

They cannot be interpreted, nor circumvented, nor ignored by anyone else. Not by bureaucrats, administrators, Cabinet Secretaries, Senators, Presidents, nor anyone else who’s not wearing a robe and wielding a gavel.

And if we don’t like the interpretations of a given court, then there’s ways to fight that too. Legal ways. Constitutional ways.

So then, …while I will attempt a “kinder and gentler” method, I promise to be just as diligent in dealing harshly with ALL offenders to these standards, nationally or wherever.

A fact based, detailed approach (“Fair and Balanced”?), with well meaning, well informed “sidebars” sprinkled in, will be the goal. Let’s hope we get there.

At the same time, I hope you will enjoy the stories which I plan to share, and the individuals whom I hope to highlight.

Some you’ve never heard of, some you already have, and some I’ll write about, …merely because they’re interesting. But all are relevant to the human condition, and to where and how it should be heading, to be sure.

But don’t get too comfy, ….this is an “Opinion” column, …after all.

And I’ll be there, and ready, when a bite on the leg is the right way to go.

Joe Facinoli
--Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com
Intelligent Response Encouraged !!

©Copyright 2014, Joe Facinoli