Mayor Adams, Plastic Bags and Us

According to the Oregonian, Portland mayor Sam Adams, who has already survived one recall, probably will survive a second also. The pre-election lies, defamation of his political opponent and sex affair with a minor aren't a big deal. One woman the Oregonian interviewed said, "All the recall does is cost so much money, cause conflict, and why are we doing it a second time?" According to the Oregonian, "No one expressed enthusiasm for a recall --- especially, they said, given the personal sins of so many politicians."

I read the article several times. Its apathetic implications are clear. In a world that grows more and more corrupt we don't want to be bothered, especially if it means more time and money. Have you seen the commercial, pay me now or pay me later? Are we paying for yesterday? Will our grandchildren pay for tomorrow?

I agree with and am proud of Portland's 'green' philosophy, but isn't there something here every bit as damaging as plastic bags? When you pull weeds do you skip the ones around the bushes because no one will see them anyway? If you do, what happens?

Yes, I am one of those people who think Hank Aaron is the home run king; Babe Ruth is the leader for 154 games and Roger Maris for 162 games. I scratch my head and wonder why what Pete Rose did is any different than what Bonds, McGwire and others did and still do.

Some folks say our leaders are just like us, they reflect who we are, who we are becoming. Does that bother you? Aren't our leaders supposed to represent the best of us?

We wanted change so bad we elected a president we knew little about. His popularity is decreasing as we discover he may not be able to fix what we have done; I said what we have done and what we continue to do.

We are not where we are because of some accident in the microwave. We are where we are because of a steady decline; we are becoming more apathetic and lazy. We are lukewarm to everything but plastic bags.

We had a mess before President Obama. He did not invent it and he may not be able to fix it. Is he the problem? Is our political process the problem or are we the problem? Did you see Wall-e? Did you get the message? Would you get me another cup of coffee while you are up?

We shrug our shoulders and go on our way. In Luke 10:29-37 neither a priest nor a Levite wound help the beaten and wounded traveler on the other side of the road. From a Jewish perspective it was the lowest of the low who helped. The lowest of the low is you and me. The beaten and wounded traveler is America. It is time for us to get involved in the political process; do our homework, pay attention, read our leaders resumes, check their references, interview them and ask hard questions and don't accept illusive lies. It is harder and harder to keep a secret. We can get the facts if we want to.

Whoever breaks the law, no matter who they are, despite their personality, resources, life style, good looks, charm, whatever, they should pay the consequences. You and I do, shouldn't our political, business, educational and religious leaders do the same?

We have an enemy much worse than plastic bags and it has taken roots in us.