Some “Why?”s For Yuletide

I'm trying really hard here, people, but the joy of this season is even harder for me to get a firm grasp on these days, here on this earth. Yes, I'll be with family whom I love and seem to love me in return, I'm doing well enough that I'm able to buy some cool gifts to show that love but still my cynicism always seems to be lurking in the background.

Why, for instance, am I and millions of others in this supposedly great land of ours living paycheck to paycheck? Why is gas and milk and everything else in the world so fucking expensive? And when I attempt a brief mental escape to the wasteland of television, why am I assaulted by morons trading shiny suitcases or singing to gain the approval of barely talented celebrities?

Why can't the networks just pay writers a little more money so we can get some decent TV shows more than once or twice a week? Sure, I read books and magazines but do I have to be so tired at the end of a day filled with a job I hate that I can't fully enjoy trying to read? Where does it say I have to do that just to earn a living?

Is it because I'm already being subjected to barely qualified political whores jockeying to live and operate in the White House, more than a year before I'm given my token vote in a process that is really decided behind closed doors? And why do the Idiot-In-Chief, Little George Bush and his evil puppet master Dick Cheney remain in place, unimpeached after committing some of the most vile acts against this country and the rest of us who live on this planet?

Why do some 400,000 soldiers and servicewomen have to invade and occupy a country like Iraq, spending Christmas away from their families, killing innocents and Iraqis driven to kill us in a vicious circle of blood and oil created by the machinery of the soulless bastards running this country?

Tell me why the world has to be like this, quit buying and producing so much junk we don't need and celebrate a holiday of your own choosing.

- Brian Ciesko

(Photo from Mr. Google)

Comments

[valereee]

Food, including milk, takes a smaller percentage of our income now than it ever has. In 1928 Hoover campaigned on 'A chicken in every pot' because most Americans at that time couldn't afford to have chicken every day.

[Ted]

People are living paycheck to paycheck these days because the middle class is becoming a thing of the past. Thank George W. Bush for that.

[Paula]

Wow. This almost sounds like a Larry Gross rant.

What's the deal here? Do you have to be a grump to write at this blog?

[Wally]

RIGHT ON BROTHER! WHAT YOU SAID!!!!!!

[Corey]

Sounds like your problem is you.
Do you expect someone to magically come down an fix your life?
Living paycheck to paycheck, that's on you. You need to either spend less, or earn more. Is it gods fault you can't live within your means? Get a cheaper apartment, buy cheaper food, cook instead of eating out, brink less beer. Get a job that pays you well, if you're unskilled, get skilled. If your skills can't pay the bills, start your own company. That's the American dream, not sitting around taking what other decide your worth.
If your not smart or motivated enough to change your situation, maybe you need to just accept your lot in life. You will live paycheck to paycheck until you die poor. If you don't want that to happen to you and your family, then it's up to you to change it. How many thousands of people bust their asses every bay to make life better for themselves? Why should you get a short cut?
The world doesn't owe you anything, not a job, not a place to sleep, not food, nothing. You need to do this on your own.
If you watched less crappy TV, maybe your life wouldn't suck. If you work a 40hr work week, the only time you have to make your life better is on the weekend and after work. If you can't manage the motivation to get off your ass, the blame falls on you.
I love it when people complain about politics, but never run for office, or work on anyones campaign. If you don't make yourself part of the political machine, how can you expect the machine to work in your interest?
There are thousands of people in America (and billions in the world) that would kill to just live in your situation, yet you want more.
Maybe you need to sit starving in the desert with bugs crawling over your face for six or seven years before you realize you have everything you need. Would you like to sit down with that group of people and complain about how hard it is to be you?
You could talk about who you had to buy crappy beer this weekend, they could talk about who the hope to have clean drinking water in the next year, I'm sure they could identify with your suffering.
Lots of people want the government to fix their lives, but they don't want to fix the government. Why do people think the government is some well oiled machine that can fix everything? It's just a bunch of people working day in and day out. It's got the same problems your work does, to think otherwise is just fullish, naive and will always leave you standing around waiting to be saved.
When was the last time you organized a march? When was the last time you marched?
When was the last time you spoke up to anyone in power about what you can do to fix things? Or to you just sit around and complain?
It's easy to complain, everyone can do it, and if your lucky enough to find people to listen to you complain, you may feel smart, but your just complaining.
Do something or shut up.

Also "Tell me why the world has to be like this, quit buying and producing so much junk we don't need and celebrate a holiday of your own choosing."
If people didn't buy and produce so much junk, you wouldn't even have your crappy paycheck to paycheck job. The US economy would collapse without holiday spending.

[hard as nails]

it's a shame corey didn't have anything to say.

[Corey]

Just sick of hearing people whine about how hard life is, then they do nothing to fix it.
Like I said, everyone can complain, it's easy, but if you want your life to get better, you need to take action, not wait for other people to make your life better.

[Tate]

I like this blog and all but it seems like every guy who writes here is crying about something. Gets kind of old.

[BrianCiesko]

Corey, oh Corey - how typically Cincinnatian of you, judging me and my
position in life without knowing the particulars. I work 40 hrs.@ the
Main Library so my job is not part of the orgies of consumerism that is
the American economy. I protest the invasion of Iraq, last time on
Fountain Square, when I can, which is not enough to satisfy my political
hungers. I attend City Council meetings sometimes and have directly
contacted Crowley and Cranley for answers to questions I've had about some
policies and decisions. I don't drink anymore so beer and it's price is
not a concern of mine. People with BAs in English generally write
things like the post today for basically no pay because we like to do this,
making a lot of money is not my major motivation. So bonehead TV is
not my cup of tea either.
I've made a certain peace with my place in this world. But most of my
bitching here is about decisions that are not in my hands, they're made
by the system and those who serve it. I choose not to be one of those
so I'm just exercising my free speech rights here. Who made you the
judge of me?

[BrianCiesko]

Here's someone w/a bit more space, and eloquence but in the same vein of thought.
Just think about it, people!
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/28/6030/

[David E. Gallaher]

Corey,
I'm looking forward to reading a topic by the likes of you.
Here's what came to my alleged mind as a Mydol for Brian, namely the last section of Desiderata.

"Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy."

- Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

[Corey]

Brian
Nice of you to start off in a condescending tone, shows tons of maturity. Love the "how typically Cincinnatian of you" by me judging you, while in the same sentence you were judging me, excellent touch!
It would have been nice if you wrote about some of the activities you participate in around the city instead of complaining about what people aren't doing for you.
I would be nice to see someone use their skill to uplift people instead of dragging them down and pushing them to feel lost, desperate and helpless.
Everyone complains about the same thing. You didn't complain about anything that hasn't been complained about a million times in the same way, in this blog. It's bit old, I bet your writing idols didn't crank out the same hack essays as everyone else around them, they looked for a unique voice.
As far as my right to judge you?
Well, you posting a blog on a free city paper with a comment section gives me the right to judge you.
That's kinda the point.

I posted all of this for free, not "for basically no pay," does that make me more hipster, artsy and cutting edge, than you?

[BrianCiesko]

No, just more of a condescending asshole.

[Corey]

That's cool, just wanted to be sure.

Are you sure I'm not at least 10% most hippster than you? 'caue that would rock!

[BrianCiesko]

No, you get at least 10% less on the hipster grade b/c, jeez, check your spelling, brother!
But it seems we're about even on the condescending asshole scale so I take comfort in that dubious distinction. Happy New Year, man, no hard feelings.
Now, I'm off to fill out the FIFSA forms to go back for my master's and, hence, change my world.