Running on Empty

For someone who’s supposed to be retired, I’ve allowed daily events to affect me too much. I know better, but that doesn’t keep those things away. They eat away at my tank of energy, and these days the needle is aiming toward the big “E.” One area of consternation deals with politics. I admit my addiction to the subject. In fact, I start each morning with a healthy dose of “Good Morning Joe” on MSNBC. If I’m working at my desk, the television station’s programs serve as background noise. The themes for all the shows seem the same: political parties play roulette with the nation’s well being. Neither side wants to give any at all because ideology is so much more important than governing to them. Some are prepared to allow the country’s economy to go belly up to prove some silly point. Others are just as willing to do so rather than make changes in social programs running amok. It’s time for these egocentric individuals to compromise and get about the business of the nation. If they can’t, I propose that recall votes be held to oust the rascals. Let’s see how these talking heads function in the everyday world again. Americans have grown tired of politicians’ name calling and attacking persons with opposing viewpoints. Civility and respect for others are dead in the nation’s capitol. So many of our elected representatives profess their strong Christian faith, but I doubt that God would recognize any of His followers by their actions. Another sore spot concerns gasoline prices. In a matter of a week, prices jumped 20 cents a gallon. Oh, plenty of reasons flooded the news media. Some said that refineries were closed for maintenance; others said the more expensive summer blends were being produced. The most irritating excuse stated that speculators were driving up the prices as they looked for the economy to improve. Such weak reasons give me a headache. It stands to logic that spiking gas prices stall the economy. Folks can’t afford to drive those extra trips, so dining out or shopping at malls are added to the list of things not to do. Use goes down and prices follow, although they never drop to the original levels. It’s an economic game that is replayed every few months. I’d be in favor of a boost in gas prices IF the proceeds were directed toward ending our dependence on fossil fuels. The funds could go into alternative fuel sources that would free us from the whims of a gone-crazy Mideast and money grabbing oil companies and would help clean up the environment at the same time. Most of all, I exhausted from being a UT fan. Like so many others, I’ve suffered through football mediocrity for too many years. I’ve watched a men’s basketball team that had so much potential perform poorly in most every game. I’ve grimaced as one Lady Vol basketball player after another goes down with season-ending injuries. Some radio hosts dog the latest recruiting class without considering how late the coaching staff jumped into the fray. These talkers predict another horrible team with a losing record before the season even starts. I’m the eternal optimist. That means I’ll begin the 2013-14 seasons with renewed anticipation and hopes. Perhaps those expectations will be dashed upon the rocks of disappointment, but I’ll hang in for as long as possible. Then I’ll turn off the television set and save my dwindling supply of energy and patience. Maybe I’d be better off not caring about the direction of our country; maybe I should just pay the price for gas and let the oil companies jerk the collective American chain. Maybe I should find another team for which to cheer. On second thought, maybe bowing my back, hanging tough, and running on empty are the best things to do.