A Little Chaos Theory

“Jude, you have to look at the flag and put your hand over your heart.”
“But I don’t want to.”
“It’s important.”
“Ohhhh-kay.”
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

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Recently Breydon has become politically aware. I’m not sure what has prompted this, although I have a feeling he’s been listening to Scott and I when we weren’t paying attention. He chose his favorite candidate several weeks ago, and even though John Edwards is no longer running that hasn’t changed his obsession with what is going on in America. I want him to be aware of this country and the role that his vote can have within our system of government, but I worry about exposing him to my worries too soon as well. Striking the right balance is a challenge.

I believe that the U.S. is at a crossroads. There are very strong divisions along economic, social/moral, and religious lines. I worry that if something doesn’t happen soon, that we’re in for another revolution. As a citizen of the United States, I believe that affecting change is absolutely essential, that we cannot continue to allow corporations and lobbyists to drown out the voices of the American people.

∙ We cannot allow those who have money to further oppress those who don’t through blame, where oil companies earn record profits at the same time that the price of oil is causing the price of everything to rise, except wages.
∙ We cannot allow a nation built upon separation of church and state to pass laws based upon religious morality when those morals are not written into the Constitution.
∙ We cannot allow our government to ignore the rights granted to us by that Constitution in the name of protecting us.
∙ It is wrong to live in a nation where the people are supposed to have the greatest voice in what happens and be told that if we cannot agree with what our ELECTED officials are doing then we should go elsewhere.

But, as a mother I worry that change will only come about through the shed blood of those willing to take a stand and I fear for my children.

This country can be great, if enough people do something. Stefania at City Mama recently posted a poem by Langston Hughes titled Let America be America Again that I believe everyone should read - it is a call to action that we not only should but MUST respond to.

In the meantime, I will continue to try and teach my children about this nation and the rights and freedoms that they are entitled to under the Constitution. Sometimes the way they interpret things makes me giggle, but the learning process is vital to them becoming concerned and active citizens.

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“Mommy, who’s your favorite president?”
“I don’t know, honey. I haven’t really thought about it.”
“My favorite is George Washington and John Tyler.”
“John Tyler? How’d you know John Tyler was a president?”
“Because he’s my FAVORITE.”

“Mommy, George Bush is yucky, right?”
“I don’t think he’s a good president, but there are people who disagree with me.”
“The only ones who like George Bush are Oscar the Grouch and Revolting Slob.”
“I’m sure his mommy likes him.”
“That’s silly. George Bush doesn’t have a mommy. He’s a Grinch.”

“Mommy, when is John Edwards going to be president?”
“I don’t think he will be, at least not for many years. He decided that he’s not going to try to be president right now.”
“He’s going to be a great president, like John Tyler. You’ll see.”
“Why do you think John Tyler was a great president?”
“Because he’s my FAVORITE.”

Posted: Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 @ 10:34 am
Categories: Feeling Philosophical, The World According to Breydon.
Tags: beeber, Breydon, Captain, children, Dodo, eat, gack, John Tyler, Jojo, Jude, mom, moving, politics, president, road trip, Scott, Toby.
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