“Ain’t it awful” takes place in groups or in monologues about just how bad things are. There are people who can overlook anything nice in order to find the dark cloud around the silver lining.
To them, everything looks dire.
You can imagine where this might come from in today’s society.
The bipolar stock market has major mood swings. Governmental leaders, even if they get their acts together, will likely only produce a tragedy or a farce. Security is something to read about in history books.
While there are many aspects of life that seem appalling, there are too many wonderful things to just dwell on the abysmal.
Those people who play “Woe is me” believe that there are no answers to our problems or for the difficult conditions in which we might find ourselves. We frequently see these negative folks on the Internet.
There are, however, remedies for most dilemmas.
For those who continually bellyache about local, state and national government, there are some solutions. On the local level, people can run for office. (Gasp.) Don’t just make long downer Internet posts about the unlikeable condition of the city or county. Take out papers and campaign to serve. It is what those who are elected did.
So, you don’t like the Congress, president or those running for either post? Find someone to support. It is not difficult to volunteer. It is better to support a candidate and have your say than just gripe.
For those folks who think our social problems are beyond fixing, please look at the huge difference that nonprofits make. These groups feed the hungry, find employment for the idle and cheer the depressed.
If every citizen gave 5 percent of their income to charity, there would not be nearly as many problems. The rich wouldn’t miss it, and poor could afford it. The impact would be huge. (Besides, if everyone gave 5 percent we would have less reason to put money in the hands of government.)
Certainly, we know that many people will not give, actually run for office or quit complaining. Grousing is a national pastime. Too many people have gotten into the habit of embracing the negative.
It takes less energy to develop a conspiracy theory regarding a public servant than to actually become one, but many folks are willing to do the extra work.
We have a great many off-putting problems, but we also have the answers — if we are willing to stop carping long enough resolve them.
• Mike McLellan can be contacted by calling and leaving a message at 830-4231 or emailing him at DrMikeM@sbcglobal.net.
The complacency evinced in your column is that of someone who refuses to see what is in front of him. How do you read the shakeout of these tea leaves? That our banking system has avoided bankruptcy only because Federal boards (FASB) allows banks to fabricate asset values. That our government spends twice what it takes in via taxes with no end in sight, leaving it unable to service its debt the moment interest rates rise even a little. That our Treasury is actively destroying the currency we need to operate our complex and delicate economy. That there is no consensus among the people or leaders on what to do next. That everyone wants what they are accustomed to having, despite the fact it is no longer supported by our economic base.
Life is a lot bigger than these things and their impending resolution. Yet our serenity should come from trust in Providence, and not from ignorance.