Failure, Success, and the Election

I was just reading an article titled ‘16 Places That Shaped the 2016 Election’.  One of them is, embarrassingly, my hometown: Youngstown, Ohio.  It says people there, who are down on their luck, believe that Trump will help them get better jobs, make more money, have a better life.  I have some simple, basic questions:  Are you really that dumb???  Seriously! How do you think he is going to do that? Please explain the specifics to me—how, exactly, is that going to happen?

Because here’s the truth:  Do you know who is going to help you get a better job, make more money and have a better life?  It’s you.  You, alone.  No one, not Trump or Hillary, or Obama or Reagan or anyone who has ever lived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is going to get you a job—unless, of course, you’re working in the White House.  It’s up to you.  Your experience, your education, your resolve, your drive.  You alone own your failures and successes.  I own mine.  I’m unemployed right now. I was laid off because the small company I worked for had some major financial difficulties. My life completely sucks right now. I’m smart enough to know it’s not the President’s fault.  It has nothing to do with anyone in Washington DC. It’s the fault of a small company that made very poor financial choices. Fortunately, because I personally made smart financial choices, I don’t have to worry about how I’m going to pay my rent or buy food.  Sure, I’ll cut back on things I’d like to do (no golf for a while), or things I’d like to have (new shoes are out of the question).  I’ll delay things like the wheel alignment and air filter my car needs simply because I don’t know when I’ll get another paycheck.  But I’m not going to rely on the President to get it for me.  I’m relying on myself.

The job of a President is at a far higher level than the Trump supporters seem to understand.  The industries and companies that will hire you, in your community, are there because of local and state incentives rather than federal policies. It’s your Governor, or City Council, that woos a company to open shop in your city. It’s your city council and planning commission that write the zoning laws that allow a business to operate.  If you want better opportunities for yourself, these are the candidates you need to hang your hat on. They won’t get you a job either, but they’ll bring a company to town that might hire you.

I’m tired of turning on the news and hearing people say Trump is going to save them.  It makes me feel sorry for them, especially those in my hometown.  He won’t save you.  He can’t.  It’s up to you. Be self-reliant.  And vote on November 8^th—vote the entire ballot.  Make sure you know who is running for your local city offices, make sure you know what they stand for. They are the ones who directly affect what happens in your community.  And you are the one who directly affects what happens in your life. Own it!

Spotlight: Blame, Truth, and my vote for Best Picture Oscar

I saw the Oscar nominated move Spotlight, about the Boston Globe reporters who exposed the Catholic Church child molestation scandal.  It is an excellent movie, and while I won’t ruin for those who haven’t seen it yet, the most powerful part is the writing on the screen at the end.  I think every Catholic—born, raised, practicing or lapsed—should see this film.

The disheartening thing is the reaction some people have to the newspaper/reporters and the movie/actors.  This misplaced sentiment was summed up in the comments section of an article in the Irish Times touting the release of the movie in Ireland next week.  A woman commented only about the stars of the movie: “enough filth on screen from the lot of them to corrupt a whole continent. Who are they trying to kid? Gimme a break!” She went on the call actor Mark Ruffalo a ‘pro-choice abortion liberal’.  Seriously???

She is slamming the entire body of work of an ensemble of actors doing a good enough job to garner Oscar nominations by portraying Pulitzer-winning journalists—but is OK with priests raping children?  Wow!  Unfortunately, she isn’t the only person who feels this way.  Of course there are good people and excellent priests in the church.  No one is denying that.  But blaming actors and writers, instead of the perpetrators of horrific crimes against children, is absolutely insane.  Sweeping this, or any, scandal under rug is so incredibly misguided.  Having faith in a God or a religion is fine, just don’t confuse it by having blind allegiance to fallible human beings.  No God condones preying on vulnerable children.  Look at the big picture.  The actors and journalists were doing their jobs, the disgraced priests weren’t.  

Winning the Lottery

Do you really want to win the $1.3 billion Powerball lottery?  You know it will ruin your life.  You'll find out exactly how many true friends you actually have: zero.  Say you decide to go to  happy hour, your usual spot where they charge $4 for a Bud Light and $5 for spinach artichoke dip until 6pm.  You always get there by 5pm so you can take advantage of the deals.  But now you've got a couple hundred million dollars in  your pocket and your friends will expect you to pick up the tab.  Sure, you can afford it, but for a $15 tab, so can they.  If you don't buy, it'll eat away at them that you're stingy.  If you do buy every time, it'll eat away at you that they are only using you for the money.  Then they are going to suggest going to Spago or Capitol Grill instead of Lazy Dog or Claimjumper.  And when you show up in your new Tesla, your friends will start to complain that their car is a piece of shit, that it needs new tires that are too expensive, how they wish they could afford a new car.  But all they are thinking is "Man, why don't you suggest buying me a new Lexus? It's only $40 grand.' You'll each begin to resent the other.  Money changes people.  It changes the ones who suddenly have it, and their 'friends' who expect a free ride. 

Would we all like a little extra money in our wallets?  Sure.  I'd love to able able to stop saying 'Thanks, but I can't afford that', 'Sorry that restaurant is too expensive for me', 'That concert is way too much', 'Can we play the cheaper public course instead?'  Winning the lottery won't allow me to do that--not with my same friends and my same life.  So here's what I'm going to do.  I'll read the articles about the huge jackpot, I'll watch the news hyping it all up, and I'll drive right on by the liquor store with all those long lines.  Then I'll meet my friend at Claimjumper where I will order the $4 beer and $2 pretzels. Cheers!