Yes, You Need To Vote!

[Niyana Mfundi Rasayon, PhD]

Here is that classic question. What has he done for Black-folk in America? You are in the desert, and your water isn't cold. So, you're asking for ice, because the glass feels warm. More importantly, you are still asking, why he hasn't stood up to all those folk in Washington. May I share an observation from the Master Game - CHESS? The King has no power, other than the organized well thought out moves made by his Court. Remember, only the military (The Knights) and the Pawns can advance without his permission. Do you recall all the projects advanced and completed by "The First Lady," during any Administration? She is the Queen; her security bubble is free to move about with greater fluidity and selective censorship. Like the game of CHESS, she can gracefully move about the board or the land, because she has POWER to impact the public, as well as influence the decisions made by a seated President.

So, count your blessings, they are doing their best in one of the most inhospitable political climates in this Nation's history, since the Civil war & the Kennedy Presidency.  Let’s not be naïve? The military is in perpetual motion, and updates the White House on a need to know basis. Almost, all of us are pawns in this game, so it would be prudent to move wisely and strategically. In this instance, the wisest thing you can do is to VOTE! And, being the knowledgeable person that you are, carefully examine your choices, unless your name is Homer Simpson. 

This is not “Miracle On 34^th Street,” where President 'Kris Kringle' comes in and calls a truce between Democrats & Republicans. Macy’s & Gimbel’s agreement to work together in the ‘Spirit’ of Christmas was all about money. This is REALITY, which is also about money!  Obama IS NOT Santa Klaus. 

True capitalism requires a group of “haves-and-have-nots.” So, acknowledge the only genuine mistake this President made was the assumption that Congress & Senate would listen to reason for the benefit of the American people. Major corporations are driven by stock & profit margins, rather than compassion for working class folk. Have your readers seen the 2004 Disney/Pixar movie, “The Incredibles,” specifically, the scenario with the Old Lady trying to benefit from her insurance policy without being dismissed. Inevitably, the character, Robert “Bob” Parker, (aka Mr. Incredible) loses it, and sends his grossly insensitive Supervisor to the hospital. Well, ready yourselves; this is the mentality of the current Republican Team, behind the scenes marginalization of the elderly and working class people to the tune of, 'sacrifices will have to made . . .

 

With that as a preamble, top of the day to all of the Democrats, Independents and those straddling the fence, first of all, I will be voting for an ENCORE to support the current Presidency. That is correct – AN ENCORE! Although, “I” have been away for about a year, all of us can see that things move rather slowly in Washington, and that is never because of one seated President. The word “numbers” outweighs & exceeds a thousand words.

 

Contrary to popular belief, NO CEO has that much power in any corporation, particularly, one that has well over one hundred million active employees. For two years, I recorded my thoughts in an in-depth bi-monthly Blog supporting the “CHANGE,” we all craved for, and from time to time, I would inject reminders, that “change” will take some time. The current zeitgeist is a testament to that fact. Surely, one does not have to be a scientist to realize that this President was escorted to the helm of a sinking ship. Further, even the late Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder could see that melanin does make a difference with respect to how he is perceived, even as the Chief resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

 

Nonetheless, tradition & history, makes it very clear, the American people are an impatient people - easily led by the spin of media giants, and rather anxious to have their separate needs met. This is the common mindset groomed among the masses in the world we live in, albeit, nothing could be so incompatible with our collective wellbeing, that fact is irrefutable.

 

When I was younger, I used to be amazed, at how quickly people would thank you if you rescued them from water up to their necks, and I was equally surprised to see how they would act when the water reached their knees. “I wasn’t going to drown, I can swim (they’d say), as long as the water doesn’t go over my head.” Now that the water has receded - just enough for people to be distracted without an imminent fear of drowning, they are willing to consider a new Team of engineers (aka republican politicians) to influence their destiny. Sadly, the turbulent waters and tidal waves that the current Administration managed to survive to save fate in major American industries, and to preserve the icons of this country’s sovereignty are too soon forgotten. The average citizen has no idea of the fathomless abysmal sinkhole that would have dwarfed The Grand-Canyon, and released a Biblical Tsunami that would warrant another Ark - if difficult monetary and fiscal decisions were delayed. So, here we are, pointing fingers at whatever The Republican media Magic Wand draws our attention to. As a result, the illusions of immediate solutions are expected items to be served on the menu of appeasement.

 

Popularity diminished when the Obama Administration sought to work on a monumental grand scale, more beneficial to the collective American citizenry. The hope that people would see the bigger picture, one of which would preserve some semblance of economic solvency, even if it meant having debts with China, somehow blemished the benefits of decisive action.

 

Surprise – Surprise – Surprise, the lay public lacks insight, the resources & resilience to fathom the grand scheme of things, when they are constantly distracted with themes that suggests mismanagement and callous disregard for everyday people characterize the signature of Washington’s bureaucracy. Regardless of who sits in the Whitehouse, a team of advisors weighs in on decisions at this level. Lets be realistic, folk who have a modest savings, those who would be homeless in six months, and those who live from paycheck-to-paycheck are usually clueless to macro-economics, and the dynamics of a global economy with a military the size of the US. These folk are trying to make a living! For the most part, they are oblivious to the magnitude of work and the incalculable resources required to solve multifaceted problems in 3 years. Bear in mind, a Senate & Congress who are more inclined to allow their personal agendas to taint honorable jurisprudence serve as weigh stations. These are people, with many masked prejudices, that continue to carry the smell of “Jim Crow” from yesteryear. As a result, genuine incentives to help the country are trumped by the euphemistic façade of polarized bigotry beneath the rubric of stern Republican beliefs!

 

Clearly, the economic climate, and widespread degree of under & unemployment bespeak the cumulative challenges - faced by working class people in the contiguous USA. Having shared those remarks, may I remind the Obama Team, that it is unwise to fight hungry sharks in shark infested waters, even if, you have the resilience of an Orca and the quick mobility and savvy of a dolphin. It remains unwise and dangerous, because the sharks that constitute the Romney-Ryan Team will turn the people into a school of hungry piranhas, destined to fight over what the “big-fish” view as “chum” scattered in the water. As a result, your messages will be lost if you join in the feeding frenzy by reacting to every diversion they put before you. There is “NO-WAY,” available financial resources will counter-balance those blank checks the republican constituents are signing to manipulate the perceptions - engineered by the marketing geniuses on Governor Romney’s Team.

 

How vulnerable and disillusioned are we, if we belief the media hype? The “Romney-Ryan – America’s Comeback Team,” will stabilize the economy and dramatically increase meaningful employment in 4 years. How many states have begun to hint at how critically important it will be to bring government issued IDs in order to vote? Who created these “NEW” voting guidelines, and why NOW? Critical states, like Wisconsin & Pennsylvania introduced new voting criteria. In particular, may I humbly suggest that the American people should pay CLOSE attention to the ballots cast in the “Buckeye State of Ohio? Moreover, may I also suggest, that someone put eyes on Florida to safeguard the early voting rights throughout her 67 counties? Common sense strongly suggests, that layers of insidious distractions are being introduced to either deter registered VOTERS or foster a mindset of complacency; to amplify views of what has Washington done for me anyway?

 

In a different light, what is the significance of Governor Romney reminding us of where his family was born? And, when did the universe confer upon a group of wealthy Caucasian men - the right to legislate how any American women of sound mind & health should address her PREGNANCY?

 

Even though, “I” am an unknown scientist, who specializes in human perception & information processing, again, “I” remind YOU, as a VOTER to VOTE! In a similar vein, I will emphatically remind the Obama Team to stay focused on the agenda for CHANGE, and to spend their advertising dollars in the critical states, and to steep their messages in candor and simplicity. They need to reiterate their stance on the economy, employment, security and health for the American people. To the Obama Team, “I” say, keep your themes true to gender and ethnic parity. Otherwise, we will literally find ourselves witnessing a nail-biter election into the wee hours of the morning to usher in the 2013 Inauguration. And, of course, the worse case scenario, which “I” foresee as very unlikely, Obama will leave as a one term “lame-Duck” President, with the American people pushing their Senators & Congressmen to hold fast to all of the accomplishments realized during his administration.

 

In closing, what happened to my Blog and why such an extended hiatus? I have been navigating the landscape on this vast and colossal vessel called America, which the previous administration and party ran aground to the tune of our current economic quagmire & stench of discontent. Remember, this country was “skunked,” before this gentleman was elected. And skunks release an oil based misty spray, which leaves an incredibly foul and caustic odor that one does not wash away. It’s akin to waiting for an elaborate mural oil painting to dry, on the wall of a vast museum. It takes time & special solutions. By the way, in biology they (skunks) belong to the ‘weasel family’ a subfamily of the broader group attempting to return to the White House as Republicanus Deceptus.

[Niyana Mfundi Rasayon, PhD]

Top of the day James,

Thank you for your candid remarks to my blog. For the sake of perspective, I would welcome an exchange of ideas with you. From time to time, I read your comments, which are thought provoking and reasonably insightful. Conversely, there are times when they are accusatory and defensive. In fact, there are even incidents, when you resort to name calling & passing judgment. Nonetheless, this is merely an attempt to remind you of the inherent theme in the Blog entry/title, “You Need To Vote.” And, the rationale for my personal selection and a summation of what the other “Party” proposes to deliver to the American people.  With that as a premise, “I” felt a need to reiterate the condition of the ship when the new Captain boarded the vessel, and his efforts to establish a ‘heading’. (… Hint - Metaphor) Clearly, the analogies & metaphors that reference water in the desert and the game of CHESS were included to illustrate a “bigger-picture,” and how people conceptualize struggles & personal hardship, as well as, one’s vulnerability to distractions & clouded perceptions when overwhelmed with personal stress.

In closing, let the dialogue continue . . .