Change? No problem!

If writing is a way to clarify one's thoughts, then it's telling that I haven't made an entry since July. And certainly a lot has happened in the last two months—more than enough to make my head spin. So let's start with politics, a form of gardening after all. (Does it not involve slinging manure?)

Now that the endless election campaign is heading for the finish line, I've been thinking about the "change" that both Democrats and Republicans are claiming as their way to improve Washington.

Guess what? Change is normal. It's given. It's the de facto way things are. Nothing is static. Seasons turn, the children grow, the weeds sprout, tomatoes ripen (or rot if there's too much rain, or are eaten by slugs or worms), we age, the stock market goes up, or down, or both. Babies are born, people die. Accidents strike, Nature reminds us by hurricane or tsunami or earthquake that we are puny and easily washed away or struck down. Continents drift, lava flows, cosmic rays pass through us, stars explode, endless constant change. That is the norm.

So what are the politicos yammering about? What changes will they make that will transform our lives and bring us fair skies and a bright future in exchange for our vote?

Never mind. No point in trying to attach meaning to political rhetoric. Instead this: remember the old days when commoners would travel to court to request a boon [favor] from the king? I would like to make a request of our future leaders in Washington.

O people of power and influence, hear my small request. I ask that you change into speakers of the truth.

I know, it won't be easy or come naturally. No more lies, no more pretending things are okay when they're not. No more hiding big chunks of the federal budget in 'supplemental appropriations' or whatever you call tens of billions of dollars spent but not counted in the budget. I can't do that with my checkbook and I don't want you doing it in Washington. No more saying the war (take your pick) is going great when it's not. No more saying the economy is doing fine when it's dissolving around us. No more saying things are getting better when for too many of us they're getting worse.

No more dodging around the conversations we need to have. Are we going to restore the Gulf Coast or let it erode? Right now it's vanishing while we talk about how much we 'care', just like we 'care' about the rusting bridges and neglected highways. Just like we 'care' about the wounded vets coming home to a red-tape nightmare that they, of all of us, should not have to endure. Shameful! If we care about all these problems, then we fix them. It won't be easy or cheap but we can do it. If we're not going to address the real problems, then let's be honest and say so.

I know, I know. It's more likely that I'll win a lottery (and I don't buy tickets) than a sudden outburst of honesty from Washington. But I can dream.

And that would be change worth fighting for.