Not Me!12720
We women and some men have the Me, Too! Movement. But I’m telling you, there is a problem with that. Not that the women are wrong. Not by a long shot. The problem is that there is also a Not Me movement. I’m sure you’ve never heard of it.
Now what exactly is the Not Me movement all about? This has to do with the piecemeal destruction of this country. If you’re a patriot, I’m sure you want to know about it. Not Me means that certain things regarding our government does, does not affect me. Or you. Or those you love.
Let’s get a little historical perspective first. There was a country in Europe that went through the kind of growing pains that we are experiencing here in this country at the present day. The war machine of Germany, in the middle of the last century, fueled an economy that soared. Much to the chagrin of many of its people, those who accepted the fact that much of that war machine was reliant on the slave labor of a marginalized part of the population, including those of Jewish descent, individuals of the Romany Gypsy persuasion and some Slavic individuals. (As time goes by, they are discovering more. Based on Nazi population figures, it is believed that over 11 million people were murdered.) Those who couldn’t do the labor were murdered in gas chambers. This included the disabled.
Let’s come back to the present day. Our beautiful country is being let slide by the wayside in many ways. Our environmental protections are being obliterated. Known scientific facts are being ignored, much to the detriment of our climate. The habitats of our wildlife are being intruded upon and our wildlife protections are being let go. Our treasured national parks are being invaded and sold for their mineral wealth. What does this have to do with me? Not Me. You? Not You?
Let’s go back to Germany. The people who were accepted parts of society looked the other way, claiming that they didn’t know what was going on. They thought, Not Me. Let me say this: there were certainly many German citizens who privately made huge sacrifices to protect Jews, especially the children. But the point is, the masses just swept it under the rug, because it didn’t affect them, their families, their lives. Not Me.
Coming back to today: the Congress is undertaking, in the shadow of the Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump, to take away the support from those who live on Social Security and have Medicare as their health care. At first, they are proposing to review the legitimacy of claims for those who currently qualify. There is, however, a bill put forth in the Congress, to significantly reduce Social Security and Medicare. Does this affect you? Me? Those you love? Not Me?
The frightening part of this problem is the support of God-fearing people. Not Me? If you support the rape of our resources, the metaphorical rape of our most vulnerable people: the disabled, the aged, the mentally ill; perhaps you need to agree that you fall into the scope of Not Me. But why? Do you not see the skewing between your proclaimed beliefs and the actions that are taking place due to your supported politicians?
It all boils down to Not Me. Many people fear that some people (Not Me) are getting something they are not getting, something for nothing. There is seething anger to think that some people are not deserving of the benefits they receive. Indeed, bears and wolves are not deserving of the sanctity of their dens. (Not Me!)
It calls for an expression of empathy--putting yourself into the shoes of the less fortunate, whether they are so by their own actions or otherwise. Do we need bears and wolves? Do we need the permafrost? Do we need oil-spill free oceans? Do we need our seniors and the disabled and the orphans to have a secure lifestyle that allows them to live month to month? It boils down to each person accepting responsibility for the quality of life for ourselves, for our children, for our children’s children, and so on.
Raise your hand, and stand up for Me!
Samm J. Bogner
