I've taken umbrage with Economic Revitalization getting in my way on the way to the grocery store.
I know. I KNOW.
This is unfeeling of me. This is selfish and childish of me.
I love Obama. I love my country too. I would never want to be a Swede for instance, or even Taiwanese. I'm ecstatically happy to be an American.
Therefore, I want only the best for my country--
Until the best interferes with my daily life.
Suddenly, just as the masses of summer tourists leave, after making my particular paradise on earth a living hell, new signs are everywhere. They say ROAD WORK AHEAD. And go on to say, that these new jobs are revitalizing our economy.
However, this revitalizing has created havoc in my daily life:
The grocery store is now only attained by an alternate route. Ditto the bank and favorite gas station...I know the concept of favorite gas station is fey at best, but try having yours obliterated by an avalanche of cranes, and piles of dirt and men in yellow hats.
I live in a place where driving is hell on earth--no, not Boston. Southern California. And I have nearly suffered nervous breakdowns over this issue so many times, I know I should just leave. Just relocate. But I fear karmic repercussions. After all, why shouldn't I have to deal with traffic issues? What have I done lately to help my fellow man....
Kennedy was elected at just the age I became aware there was something called a President of the United States. I remember what he said. I remember it because Sister Saint Mary Francis made us write it one hundred times on a piece of paper just so we would grow up living, breathing, and feeling the urge to help our fellows.
President kennedy said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
I know this is the point Obama is making. In this age of entitlement gone amok, the concept is blurred, even forgotten. But I am being reminded now.
So the least I can do, right? is quit my complaining. The least I can do is every time I see that line of stopped cars in front of me, and I know it indicates ECONOMIC REVITALIZING ROAD WORK AHEAD, I will try to picture all the children of the men wearing the yellow hats having a happy and bountiful Christmas.
Yes, I think that might temper my entitled ire.