CLASSIC LOVATO AT LARGE: The forthcoming Burrito Revolt (Trump Rising)
[Originally Published in 2009. TRUMP RISING]
The Man of the 60s is no longer The Man. And The Man now is starting to look and sound a lot like The Man he overthrew. What's that got to do with yummy burritos? I will explain.
We are headed for another period like the 60s when the minority (now Conservatives, then Liberals) feel like they have no voice in our democratic republic and will be forced to split states, secede, or just take up arms.
It's happen many times in our history and I'm proud of that. That's what self-determination is all about. I believe that's what the Founding Fathers wanted.
Read the Federalists papers and Common Sense. It is not ambiguous what they wanted to establish and protect: That citizens of the United States were above the government. That a citizen's personal rights were important and should not be trumped by the tyranny of the majority or the tyranny of the minority.
That's what the states were all about. Bringing together people who had similar interests based on geography and economy and topography so they could best govern themselves. The Red Burrito Revolt The founders hoped, by signing a piece of paper, that King George would just grant them independence. But, as it turned out, it took 8 years of bloody expensive war to get our cousins across the pond to allow us to secede.
The Declaration of Independence says, “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of the ends for which it was established, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.”
Who's The Man now? I was born at the brink of the 60s cultural and political revolution. I watched and listened to members of the establishment dig in and bristle at any thoughts of changing the laws and social standards that allowed them to maintain their tight-fisted control of politics and the economy and social discourse.
They were The Man then.
Well, how did that work out? Through violence, politics, legal gymnastics and social education, those searching to have their voices heard finally broke through. That's just how it's supposed to work in a democratic republic as unique as ours. Tyranny became “civil disobedience.”
When I think about the 60s I think of the assassinations, protests, riots. Those were patriots sacrificing their lives or lifestyles to get their opinions heard and counted.
It was hard for me to understand that but we can all agree that great strides have been made in my lifetime for social equality and civil rights, product safety, and many other issues. But it swung too far and the group that once was the downtrodden has now become The Man.
And it's time for another re-rack of the system. And it will come. Only The Man can decide whether it is green or red.
Members of that group that are now The Man are starting to sound like the conservatives of the 50s and 60s. They often judge the actions of the group by the actions of a few. They sneer and ridicule anyone who doesn't agree with them. They consider the new minority as critically stupid and in need of smarter people to govern. They want to dictate using embarrassment, rule of law, politics or any other way to keep their advantage.
They enjoy and want to enforce their powers. Status Quo is their friend. I can hear my liberal friends barking already about one-man, one-vote and maintaining social control by restricting the rights of those they don't agree with. I see them scratching their heads as they try and figure out where the anger comes from people who really just want to be left alone.
They sound (gulp) like the bastard Conservatives of the 60s who they hated! Reverse Archie Bunkers.
I believe we stand on the brink because, unlike political swings in the past, the next few years will determine whether America as we know it continues to exist in the way we think it should. Just ask the folks who lived in the Southern States what it's like when your right to self determination is forcefully removed. Ever see Gone With The Wind?
Will we be a shining beacon of freedom or another rotted superpower.
The Combo Burrito?
We have to find a way to live together and get along by allowing people with different ideals and lifestyles to peacefully live and govern themselves.
But, as a Libertarian, it goes both ways. (This is where I alienate readers on both sides of the argument. Proof to me we are not ready for this Combo burrito. I think CNN and Fox have a lot to do with it.)
You want to smoke pot, I have to give you that because I want my guns. You want to have an abortion, I have to trust God will sort it out when the time comes because I don't want to get taxed to death. You want rights for protected groups, O.K. Because I want those same protections for me and my family members and businesses. You want to worship a crystal, cow, person, Satan or no god at all? I have to allow that because I want to worship my God.
So, Mr. Man, what's it gonna be, a Green Burrito filled with cash and politics and peace or a Red Burrito filled with blood and heat and violence?
It really is up to you but I suspect I know the answer.
