Think About The Consequences

Once again, I've come to the conclusion that a lot of people really don't think through what they say and do.  They're careless about what comes out of their mouths.

In the book of James, it is written that a person who can control his (or her) tongue is a perfect person, and is able to control both body and soul, but at least make the attempt.

President Trump spoke on Tuesday night, about such things as health care, immigration, terrorism, and increasing our military.

When compared to his insanely childish tweets, his speech came across as mature, somewhat nuanced, and more intelligent.

Notice that I did not say that his remarks were totally correct, however.  For instance, the president blamed his predecessor, President Barack Obama, for the faults and failures of the Affordable Care Act.

Blame for that situation actually centers on Congress, especially congressional Republicans, and in particular Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan.  The Republicans did everything in their power to obstruct President Obama at every turn, so the shortcomings of the ACA are no surprise to anyone who paid attention.

As is usual, there is no plan from Republicans on replacing what is commonly called "Obamacare".  I believe that if Ryan had his way, he'd eliminate the ACA (as well as Medicare and Social Security) and tell the country to shut up about it.

I don't know if political reality occurs to Ryan (I'm certain that McConnell gets it), but from the looks of it, Tea Partiers (I lump Ryan in with this group) have a "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" attitude.  In other words, they want to stop programs they don't like to save tax dollars, no matter what the consequences are.

Unfortunately, a lot of what the world is going through right now is pretty much due to consequences, and so many people refuse to learn from history.

The embrace of slavery and its institutionalized racism has had long-standing consequences in this country, and continue to do so.  Just look at the apparent stalking and shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida, by self-appointed vigilante George Zimmerman for a still recent example.

I actually call what happened to Mr. Martin a pre-meditated murder, but it seems that the laws in the state of Florida don't agree with me.

However, the worst case scenario involving consequences concerned the Volstead Act, also known as the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Prohibition.  The grand experiment in legislating morality, had nothing but good intentions behind it.

We all know what the road to hell is paved with, don't we?

Instead of making everyone sober teetotallers, it made criminals out of people it shouldn't have, created laws that couldn't (and in many cases, wouldn't) be enforced, and it gave unbelievable power to organized crime - power that has only gotten worse over the decades.

There is a reason that I say that the Volstead Act is the worst legislative mistake of the 20th Century.

I can only hope that our current president shows a lot of maturity and forethought.  I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I shudder to think of the potential consequences if he doesn't.

He needs our prayers.  Seriously.

That's all for now.

Peace be unto you.