I picture a massive pendulum suspended in space, with numberless people throughout time pushing and pulling on it one way or the other. One side cheers, the other boos. Then the pendulum reverses its swing and the sides switch their reaction. Sometimes it seems to swing regardless of pushing or pulling.

 

By David Jones

As the American political landscape churns with its typical anger, fear, and calls to action, I’m overwhelmed.

The sturm-und-drang presses on me. The energy swirls like I’m trapped between a bunch of tornadoes. It’s inescapable. I could create affordable housing with the campaign flyers in my mailbox alone!

As I struggle to cope, I remember: change is inevitable, even when people act like every development is permanent. Life’s like a pendulum. When I watch a pendulum swing from left to right, right to left, in its endless journey between the extremes, I’m reminded not to get too attached to where it is at any given moment.

Remember Roe v. Wade?

When it was enacted, some folks acted like it was permanent. Later, some felt it was permanently overturned. Both times, people acted like the struggle was finally over, which of course it wasn’t. Laws and decisions aren’t permanently enacted, nor permanently overturned. Pendulums don’t work that way.

I’ve been bombarded with political ads on Facebook and YouTube, and one particular ad makes me lecture the TV every single time it comes on: legalizing sports betting in Missouri. It’s full of the same “sales pitch” language folks use instead of actually discussing stuff.

My issue isn’t the problematic nature of gambling or the shame of how underpaid and under-supported teachers and schools truly are. But the ad “promises” the money raised will go to teachers and schools, all because a state constitutional guarantee says it will. Oh please.

Maybe it’s my 35 year career in government that acts like a vaccination against political promises.

When the IRS needed a new building in Kansas City, the politicians went to town with their promises. “If we move to this one spot downtown, it will boost the city’s funds immensely. Employees will eat at downtown restaurants, they’ll shop at downtown stores, they’ll move to nearby apartments to cut down on commute time which will ease highway congestion.”

Of course, none of that happened. All that mattered was that this group won, even if it meant making empty promises and assumptions. The building was approved so we moved our operations there. And the employees continued to eat and shop and live in the suburbs or farther, and continued cursing I-70 traffic every morning and evening, because commuting was still better than going broke trying to support someone else’s victory.

My blue-collar dad raised me to not trust politics or politicians blindly. It’s all sales pitches, getting and staying in power, and promises that aren’t worth cow pies. But “guaranteeing” these funds will go to education feels insulting.

Each time I hear it I reply “Oh you hope it’ll go to education.” Even if it gets enacted, all it takes is one or two votes down the road to shift funds away to whatever someone decides is more important and bang goes your promises.

The pendulum stands still for no one.

So for anyone who frets over each vote, I encourage you to not cling to whatever happens. Victories and defeats aren’t permanent. Try not to cling to them. The pendulum will always swing the other way in time. Anyone clinging to either result will eventually suffer for it.

Once we realize that every political decision can be reversed or muted by time or vote or lawsuit, a lot of the stress eases. Then whether your side wins or loses, you can still be okay.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t cast your vote into the political swimming pool alongside everyone else’s vote and the tireless efforts of paid political influencers and special interest groups. If you need to get involved, get involved! Get in there! Do what you can to ease suffering. But then remember that the result isn’t permanent. That shouldn’t depress anyone, but hopefully it can relieve us of our habit of clinging to things that eventually change.

I picture a massive pendulum suspended in space, with numberless people throughout time pushing and pulling on it one way or the other. One side cheers, the other boos. Then the pendulum reverses its swing and the sides switch their reaction. Sometimes it seems to swing regardless of pushing or pulling.

So do my votes really matter in the end? I don’t know, but I’m going to vote anyway.

It’s about trying to help according to my heart and conscience. I assume that’s true for everyone, regardless of what influences their views. It helps me avoid seeing other people as mere enemies.

Finally, try not to say “I voted. I did my part.” and then stop working to help others, because win or lose people still need your compassion and help. The ballot box doesn’t solve everything. Lawsuits are often far more politically effective –

“Hit ‘em in the pocketbook. They’ll change their tune.” my dad would say. Still, even that’s only temporary.

We still need to protect and aid the vulnerable, “the widow and orphan and foreigner in your land” as the Bible says. Regardless of how the pendulum swings, I’ll vote, then I’ll look for what else I can do to help others. Join me, won’t you?

Be well.
 

 

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Photo: Pixabay

Editor: Dana Gornall

 

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