Get well soon
Hello Freedom, we don’t talk much these days. Sure, I spend a lot of time talking about you; or rather talking about how, in your old age, you seem to be a bit under the weather. But we haven’t talked in a while.
Who can blame me? Whenever something bad happens, it seems you’re the first thing that suffers, being whittled away a little bit at a time. Be it in the name of security, in the name of God, to prevent crime, to preserve a wet piece of land that a duck may look it, political agenda, or for the children, you seem to be the first thing our leaders (if you want to call them that) are willing to sacrifice. I’m so wrapped up in talking about you that I never really do any thing to help you out of this slump you’re in. It’s not entirely my fault though. Those same leaders I mentioned earlier make it difficult, or impossible, or just expensive to help you out. I hope this is just a mid-life crisis you’re going through. I don’t think the nation could bear it if you’re just too old of a concept for us. I never take the opportunity to thank you for what you’ve done for generations of Americans. Thanks for being there and I wish you a speedy recovery.
I also have to put some of the blame on you for us not talking so much. You haven’t been around much lately. I know it’s not you’re fault because people are working against you and some are too busy just working to notice, but maybe you could step up a bit. Maybe take some vitamins, work out some, or just show the world a reminder of what you’re capable of. I’ll keep checking in on you from time to time. I also wish you’d check in on me every once in a while. We shouldn’t have to go it alone.
Someone once said your price was eternal vigilance and that is a high price indeed. It’s hard to be watchful when you’re busy planning for retirement, having dinner with old friends, working long hours, following the news, entertaining yourself, raising children, putting food on the table, being good little consumers, and partaking in a couple of extraneous hobbies here and there. I do make an effort to see how you’re doing but I never take the time to really do much about it, other than complain. And there are a lot of people just like me who are not doing all that much either; most of them were elected. It’s not entirely their fault because we the people are not keeping our eye on them or holding them to account for their actions.
Even those who take it upon themselves to be your guard dog are often misguided by ideologies, pettiness, and shortsightedness. At least they’re trying but often only when it is convenient or fits a particular political objective.
Someone else said that those who would choose security over you will have and deserve neither you nor security. It seems, as a nation, we (or at least our leaders) are far more concerned about being safe than being with you. I guess being with you requires a lot more responsibility than most of us are willing to accept. Maybe you and security need to get together and iron this thing out because it doesn’t look like we’re capable of doing it.
Get well soon.
Happy Birthday, Freedom!
Update: I wrote that 3 years ago, when my audience was much smaller. I don’t think anything has changed for the better. In fact, it’s gotten worse.
