Letter to Joe Hallett

Hey Folks -

I just HAD to share my thoughts expressed in the posting below with Mr. Hallett!!

- Uke Man

Dear Mr. Hallett,

In your September 28 column you suggested: "All they could do -- all any of us can do -- is trust our leaders."

I find that view discouraging and wrong.

A major problem with our nation is the belief that we are powerless and can only look to our “betters (e.g. "leaders," experts, and preachers) to take care of us and make things better.

I live in Circleville where I bet folks aren’t too much different from the folks in Fulton County; so, I think I understand the situation.

The point of your column is that you’ve always been able to find solace back home among the corn and soy bean fields where they are concerned with "democracy's stewardship," but this time it didn't work. Now, the "little people are crying out for leadership."

These "little people," you say are like local Republican official, Sandy Barber, who "is a loyal partisan, but you won't find a Democrat in the county who doesn't like her. She played to win, but she didn't play to destroy her opponents, because she knew she'd be cheering with them at the next high-school football game."

Well, they can do that because they have their heads buried in the sand. Either through ignorance or rationalization, these“informed” voters believe the world is just a small town where Friday-night-football rules, and folks are protected from weightier matters by our beloved "leaders" in the State House and the White House. "Yep, elect 'em and fergit 'em. We're done with that 'til the next 'lection - unless a tit gits seriously caught in the ringer; then we'll squeal bloody murder, and vote-in some other guy who smiles nice while he makes his promises."

If nothing changes, they just shrug: “All any of us can do is trust our leaders until we vote-in some new ones to trust.” And they believe that! When the next election rolls around the parties, candidates, and the media will concentrate on rumors, distortions, lies, lipstick, unpopular religions, and other matters “crucial” to informing the electorate, and – based on that - deliver another official to trust.

Many rural folks are simple because they are relatively isolated and, because of that, are easily led to believe that the world is simple and that our wise government cares about us and works to improve our lives. Only when thing get REALLY bad do they start to doubt.

Well, things are getting REALLY bad. The home folks are waking up, but your suggested answer to their concern is a disservice.Ignorance IS bliss, and "throw the bums out" as a solution is just a part of that ignorance. Unless people know the reality of their situation, voting is just a merry-go-round. Telling them to choose a different horse to ride gets them nowhere.

Yours - Tom Harker