What do I know?  After all, I live in one of those “rural towns;” you know, the kind that you think of as “quaint, rustic, charming,” as you quickly drive through on your way back to civilization.  Yeah, we have a lot of those pickup trucks too, not too many with gun racks though; folks here are fairly protective of the critters anymore.  Nevertheless, it is home; breathtaking Sierra mountain trails, streams still teeming with native trout and hidden lakes just made for camping getaways. 

It is a new era, however, and I can’t “cling” to the serenity and peace of this unprogressive community.  It is time for change!  Change, I tell you!  At least I hope it is. 

The first thing I have to do is get rid of that “gas guzzling” SUV.  Pity though, I just paid it off but I won’t let a simple thing like financial independence stand in the way of change.  That shiny new hybrid shouldn’t cost that much and I am sure that the increase in my power bill when I plug it in will be offset by its impressive MPG rating.  Being sequestered in my house on those days when the latest storm just dumped 12 to 14 inches of new snow will be a problem but a growing dependence on government services shouldn’t be all that hard to adjust to. 

There will be that unfortunate change in both my mental and physical health.  Since I can no longer get to those remote trailheads, so perfect for cardiovascular health and mental tranquility, both will suffer adversely.  No worries though, I can take solace in my forced health care plan to cover the cost of the degradation in my physical well-being.  Further, I can wallow in Schadenfreude, knowing those evil rich are paying more in taxes.  I feel better already.         

Those “Big Oil” types will get theirs as well.  Certainly, there must be a modicum of comfort that can be derived from the fact that all those windfall profits taxes are going to pay for new roads and bridges.  Right?  We will get new roads and bridges, won’t we?  A moot point really, when I realize that my shiny new hybrid doesn’t get enough miles per Amp to get to them.  When you think about it though, “Big Brother” can’t be nearly as bad as “Big Oil.” 

This growing dependence on government for what is acceptable speech, personal diet considerations, transportation, regulated television, and radio content, and income confiscation is for the best isn’t it?  I used to think I was doing a fairly good job of managing those choices but as I said, what do I know.  After all, “people by the government” is working so well in all the places it is being tried. 

As we prepare to celebrate this Fourth of July, we should reflect on the principles upon which this nation was founded:  Freedom from outrageous taxation, no legislation without representation, nor an oppressive government limiting our personal freedoms.  Funny, isn’t it, that government today is bent on turning the clock back some 232 years.

Today, this is just a satirical rant, an attempt at making a point with sarcastic humor.  The growing influence our government is exercising over our daily lives, however, is no laughing matter.

One specific example that is glowing testimony to the fact that “the government,” to be differentiated from “our government,” has an agenda over and above the wishes of the people would be illegal immigration.  By overwhelming numbers, the people said, close the borders and under no circumstances grant amnesty to illegals.  Congress acquiesced but on at least two occasions has attempted backdoor legislation and still insists that it will enact that which the people insist they must not.  To whom do they answer?