American Pie by Martha Thomases: Brilliant Disguise

December 13, 2008 Martha Thomases 13 Comments

The government has authorized $700 billion to bail out the financial industry, and it looks like there’s going to be several dozen billion to bail out Detroit.  And there’s the $10 billion or so we’re spending in Iraq every month.  Pretty soon, we could be talking about a lot of money.

Remember, just a few months ago, John McCain was pledging to balance the budget by cutting earmarks, a whopping $16 billion?  Those were good times.

Our government is throwing money at the financial crisis.  It worries me, because I don’t trust the people in charge who seem to feel they don’t have to explain what they’re doing with the money to the rest of us (I’m looking at you, Paulson).  On the other hand, people are hurting and we have to do something.

As you might expect, there’s a lot of squabbling over the money, and there will be more to come.  Even though we can, legally, print as much money as we like, it doesn’t work as a solution to financial problems.  An increase in the number of dollar bills decreases the value of each individual bill.  Over time, you need more and more dollars to buy the same thing.  I, for one, do not want to use a wheelbarrow full of cash to buy a loaf of bread.

I’ll concede that, for the foreseeable future, there is a finite amount of money to spread around.  It’s as if money is a pie, and there are only so many slices.  You can make the slices smaller, but there is only so much pie.  Not everyone can get a taste.

At this holiday season, what can we, as a country, share that is not finite?  What can we give to one group of people that doesn’t deprive another group?

What about freedom?  How about civil rights a la mode?

My right to free speech doesn’t impede your right to free speech.  I can say something, you can disagree (or agree) and we can have a conversation.  If my argument is based on lies, or insults, or bullying, it reflects on me.  Some people suggest that those who point out that an argument is dependent upon stereotypes or insults are too “politically correct” and want to act as censors.  I think the conversation speaks for itself.

My right to believe in God (or Goddess, or Giant Spaghetti Monster) does not affect your right to your beliefs.  I’m not sure how it could.  During the Middle Ages, European states forcibly converted thousands of Jews – or so they thought.  Instead, the Jews continued to practice their religion in secret.  Even the Spanish Inquisition can’t read your mind.  Luckily, we live in a country where we can choose to assemble for prayer among like-minded people.  As long as you don’t force me to sing Christmas carols, I won’t deprive you of shrimp.  That’s America.

And so it goes.  I get to vote, and so do you.  I am part of the jury pool so that my fellow citizens can be judged by their peers, as they will judge me if I ever get arrested.  I can choose to live anywhere I can afford, and the law prevents denying me housing, or work, or recreation based on my race, religion, gender, affectional preferences, national origin, or age.

We like it this way.  It’s fun!

Last weekend, I saw Milk, the new film directed by Gus Van Sant, starring Sean Pean, Josh Brolin, James Franco and other cute guys, many of whom are seen wearing no shirts (and sometimes no pants).  Set in the years from 1970 to 1978, before AIDS had its grip on us (or a name), if chronicles the life of Harvey Milk from closeted accountant to gay activist to city supervisor in San Francisco.

The movie reminded me of my own youth.  This was the time I first learned about the gay community, and soon I learned to adore not just its fierceness and passion but its sense of humor and glorious fun.  I learned that people who are allowed to be both themselves and equal citizens under the law have a lot to share, especially with people like me who tend to be kind of dumpy if left to our own devices.

More rights for more people means more joy this season.  It’s a gift that keeps on giving, a never-ending pie.

Media Goddess Martha Thomases loves blueberry pie the most of all, but, really, anything but mincemeat is just fine by her..