Old American Century (Part 1)

Written by Armand French

Many years ago, I perceived that facts and data leading to analysis and judgment was common.  Not so many years ago, I learned perception was reality, much less facts and data.. This adds another layer of complexity to communicate what I think and feel if the goal is to get the other person to understand.

“Government, leave me alone!” is the sentiment expressed.  When I hear that, I get the emotion, but not the rest of it.

What does that look like, I wonder.  Every breath you take, every move you make, is aided by an “us” and aids an “us” in return. Ok, that is probably not clear.  I will try that again.  I travel roads, paved and unpaved.  I work. I communicate with others. I use electricity, water, gas (or oil) to heat and cook and clean and do all those things that we take for granted..  I participate in a community by being there, doing all the things great and small getting on with my life. 

When I participate, I become part of the “us” that the “leave me alone!” people seem to not want to be part of. I think of the desire and the ramifications of that desire. How can that be?  Can that actually happen?  Can the “leave me alone!” people not coexist with the “us” people? Now my head is starting to hurt.  I'll try another way.

For some, to live in solitude, or at least alone, is a desired state. I get that. A casual viewing of the news presents an uncomfortable world to explore. Worrying about one's self is enough.  Having what you consider an unwelcome “force” intrude on your life is definitely not wanted.  In the past, the way to accomplish that goal was to leave, to move away, to “escape” the confines of society, or “us”. 

I'll say this though: you cannot disconnect with “us” and still live in the same place without radically changing what you do to be “alone” and force “us” to change in response.

“Leave me alone!” is an emotion, not a plan, not a process, nor a result.