The Key To My Vote
With the fuel tanks full, and about 40,000 pounds of cargo in the trailer, the 18 wheeler was slamming into some enormous potholes at a gross weight of 75,000 pounds. Potholes aren't exactly a source of happiness when your family car hits them, but they are a source of bone-jarring treachery when you sink 35 tons into them. I was busy condemning this aspect of the job, employing language that would be universally understood throughout the honest world when I was brought up short by my own ruminations.
Before the advent of air-ride cabs and air-ride seats, a hearty breed of truckers hauled freight on worse roads. "Just look around you," I thought to myself. "You sit atop a cushion of air. You have power steering, a turbo charged engine the size of sports coupe. If you break down, you make a call on your cell phone and a repairman will materialize to solve the problem." Technology has altered reality, I thought. "And speaking of your cell phone," my thoughts interrupted, "consider the tools at your command. Go ahead, tap the screen, Diesel Breath, and a satellite weather map appears. You don't even have to touch the phone for weather alerts to instantly show up no matter what part of the country you're in. Tap again, and a GPS will point and lead the way to your destination. A real modern day cowboy, eh? Tap the screen again, Hop-Along-Cajun, and you can scan police radio bands or fill the cab with the music of your choice. And if someone calls, the music will suddenly stop and the little earpiece you're wearing will tell you the name of the person who is calling, allowing you to answer the call simply by speaking a command while never once removing your hands from the truck's controls. Tap the earpiece itself, speak the name of whomever you wish to talk with and their phone will start ringing. When the day is done, you can plug the phone into your personal computer and get immediate access to friends, family, news, and more. So keep griping there, Trucker Boy. This isn't a truck. Hell, it's the Starship Enterprise! You only think you have it rough, but technology has taken the…" And it was at that point in my argument with me that I interrupted myself yet again, noting that technology hasn't taken the human element out trucking, …otherwise I wouldn't have wasted a day and a half being dispatched hither and yon in a futile search for an empty trailer that didn't exist. Which set me to thinking about the country and the elections, which is actually an easy progression of thought if you're behind the wheel for 11 hours.
One of the key elements behind the genius of the American experiment was that the Founders accepted human nature as a constant in an otherwise changing world. Unlike preceding systems of governance, or the utopian fads of the last century, America's forefathers embraced the inherent dignity of the individual and rejected the idea that human nature could be transcended or annulled by new systems of technology or social theory. The American DNA is that of a free person, not a laboratory mouse who submits to the experimentation of a mastermind in a white coat, or a wayward jurist in a black robe, or a utopian collectivist in the White House. It is precisely that characteristic, that DNA if you will, that led to an explosion of wealth and innovation unlike anything the world has ever seen. You want to know the key to American Exceptionalism? It's the liberty, dignity, and inherent sovereignty of the individual. Forget about a scorned woman for a moment. The truth is that hell hath no fury like a free man whose liberty, family, and country is threatened. That's why our fighting force, when unleashed, is without equal. And that is why, when the lives, liberty and property of generations of Americans yet unborn were threatened by cataclysmic debt and government-controlled healthcare, free men and women across the land organized, rallied, and delivered a historic and fierce rebuke to Democrats, sweeping them out of office both locally and nationally, and handing the reins to the Republicans.
The Republican response has been stupefyingly weak. As members of our armed forces make good on their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution with their very lives, the best and brightest the party had to offer on a Presidential level took one look at what is perhaps the gravest threat to liberty in the nation's history, turned and walked away. This is not, however, to disparage those candidates who are running. At least they are answering the call, enduring the slings and arrows of the press (and each other) and performing their duty, as they see it, as patriots. It remains to the rest of us to sort through the candidates and decide which one we want to run as the Republican nominee. We've been debating this amongst ourselves for months, though it seems longer. Some tell us to consider electability. A subset of this group believes electability resides in a candidate whom they believe will take the fight to Obama and expose his Alinskyite core. Another subset insists that electability resides in a candidate with a preternatural ability to offend the fewest people. Still others eschew the evangelical zeal of the electability crowd, and simply resolve to vote for either the candidate who embraces traditional cultural mores, or the candidate who easily explains the many facets of libertarianism. What is a voter to do?
Human nature being constant, I draw on my personal experiences and the people I admire most. In that regard, I look to the friends I served in the military with and those who even today are prepared to sign their oath to defend the Constitution with their own blood. I look to those who signed the Declaration of Independence, who pledged their lives, their fortune, and their sacred honor. You see, to my way of thinking, such an oath means something. So I look at the candidates and wonder, if these men had been present that day, knowing full well the risk to life and limb in signing such a declaration, would they have done so? Every single one of the Republican candidates currently running for President possess qualities that make them both electable and unelectable, and I've grown weary of being lectured on what qualities either enhance or negate the others. For me at least, it's gut check time. The American people spoke by overwhelming margins in 2010, saying unequivocally what they do and do not want from their government. Who among the candidates has the fortitude to fight forcefully, fight tenaciously, and fight effectively to roll back the leviathan state before it devours our liberty in yet another disastrous attempt to remake human nature? Who among them would have put it all on the line as our forefathers did? Personally, I don't think all of them standing on the stage would have stood against the Crown. Of those who would, my vote will go to the one I believe to be most courageous and tenacious. The hour is late, the moment critical. My freedom to vote has been secured by the courageous, and it will not be wasted on the fainthearted.
- Comment (21)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments :
Jun '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Dave - In late August is there any way to steer your rig to Tampa Bay, Florida? There could be a draft committee waiting for you.
Re: The Key To My Vote
Depends on what they're serving on draft. I know,... cheesy answer, but I was just reading Pat's post. Anyway, have the draft people call my people. We can meet at a truck stop.
Mar '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
"The hour is late, the moment critical. My freedom to vote has been secured by the courageous, and it will not be wasted on the fainthearted."
So, wait, you're voting for Romney then? *ducks*
I really have no say, my state is usually one of the last, sadly. We've not been a primary decider since... well probably never. Hope that changes this year, I really want to stick it to the weasels.
Great post.
Jan '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
Yes, yes, all very true - your thoughts about the American fabric, but let's not wander too far from those potholes. You may think of them as mere annoyances, but election season is upon us and they're really shovel-ready jobs, Obama says. So, keep an eye out for those shovel-ready potholes, and glance upward every once in a while - where there are shovel-ready jobs you're likely also to see flocks of flying pigs.
Mar '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
Only in tornado season.
Apr '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
Well spoken, well said.
Random thought: There was an illustrated history of the Air Force edited (I think) by Martin Caidin that I read 40 years ago. It had a picture of a B-29 taking a direct hit from flak, with the caption "It takes a lot to kill a 60-ton bomber."
Dec '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
On the first half of your post about the potholes and blessings of technology, it reminds me of the story PJ O'Rourke tells about his little girl suffering some natural consequence and complaining about the unfairness of it all. He told her (paraphrasing), "Darling, you're cute, clever, and a natural born American. When life starts getting fair for you, that's when you should worry."
In these anxiety-ridden times, I try to remind myself not to fixate on the missing tile. Gratitude presupposes happiness.
Oh, and I shamelessly rip-off O'Rourke with my own daughters regularly.
Great post, as usual, Dave.
Re: The Key To My Vote
The only thing truly shovel ready is a speech by Barack Obama.
Something I've noticed about the potholes. By the time the crews finish refilling the potholes on one section of highway, the ones they refilled on the previous section need work again. It's not just a construction project. It's tenure.
Edited on Jan 29 at 8:09pmSep '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
"My freedom to vote has been secured by the courageous, and it will not be wasted on the fainthearted."
Wow. That's one of the best calls to action I've read in any election season!
Oct '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
To quote, Personally, I don't think all of them standing on the stage would have stood against the Crown. Sadly, this speaks volumes to the fibre of the candidates in this current theatre.
Appears clear the road ahead is filled with potholes and the tires are not properly inflated to navigate the route and deliver.
Keep on, keepin on.
Re: The Key To My Vote
Glenn the Iconoclast: Well spoken, well said.
Random thought: There was an illustrated history of the Air Force edited (I think) by Martin Caidin that I read 40 years ago. It had a picture of a B-29 taking a direct hit from flak, with the caption "It takes a lot to kill a 60-ton bomber." · 3 minutes ago
My buddy, Bob Lee, probably has the book in his extensive collection. And if you want some stellar reference material, may I offer the services of my old line of work?
Oct '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Dave Carter
The only thing truly shovel ready is a speech by Barack Obama.
Something I've noticed about the potholes. By the time the crews finish refilling the potholes on one section of highway, the ones the refilled on the previous section need work again. It's not just a construction project. It's tenure. · 4 minutes ago
In this neck of the woods, potholes are an intentional full employment project, as well as auto repairs.
May '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Thanks Dave, you've helped me make up my mind. I'm going with Santorum.
Oct '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Dave Carter
The hour is late, the moment critical. My freedom to vote has been secured by the courageous, and it will not be wasted on the fainthearted. · · 1 hour ago
Same here. Thus, Mitt Romney will not get my vote.
Oct '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
If Obamacare is not fully and completely repealed, the United States of America will be finished as a superpower. Forever.
Feb '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
Dave Carter
As members of our armed forces make good on their oath to uphold and defend the Constitution with their very lives, the best and brightest the party had to offer on a Presidential level took one look at what is perhaps the gravest threat to liberty in the nation's history, turned and walked away.
An indictment that perfectly encapsulates my growing disgust for the Republican party. I suspect the party is living on borrowed time.
Edited on Jan 29 at 9:51pmJul '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Some tell us to consider electability. A subset of this group believes electability resides in a candidate whom they believe will take the fight to Obama and expose his Alinskyite core. Another subset insists that electability resides in a candidate with a preternatural ability to offend the fewest people. Still others eschew the evangelical zeal of the electability crowd, and simply resolve to vote for either the candidate who embraces traditional cultural mores, or the candidate who easily explains the many facets of libertarianism. What is a voter to do?
All I can say is that this voter read, laughed, cringed, & laughed again throughout your post.
Thanks, Dave.
Aug '11
Re: The Key To My Vote
A wonderful post.
Let us know if you are ever driving through Portland, Oregon. It's not about running for president. We have people here who need to hear what you have to say.
Dec '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
Your criterion of "Would he stand up to the Crown" has one clear answer amongst the four men remaining.
I've been waiting for a prominent Ricochet editor to come out for Ron Paul ;-)
May '10
Re: The Key To My Vote
I see Ron Paul running around with his pocket sized Magna Carta or whatever ;)
Edited on Jan 30 at 12:23pm