Nasty Pendulum

I understand the possible need to nationalize the banks. I certainly agree with changing emissions regulations for car exhaust to the standards set by California, agreed upon by thirteen other states. I completely agree with giving foreign aid to organizations in poor countries who offer information about safe, legal abortion. And for goodness’ sake, I agree it is time to close down the prison at Guantanamo.

But what I wonder is, HOW can it be this simple? How is it that we elect someone and within days, the rules change. Completely. I am ALL FOR THE NEW RULES, let me say this. But what is it about a government system that allows the executive branch to wield so much power? Has it always been this way? Am I seeing a huge pendulum swing from out-of-control-conservative-in-name-only-greed-freaks to intelligent-responsible-repair? Perhaps the swing isn’t so huge? It’s just my perception?

It just seems so huge.

Could it be that we, like chickens, just pick our leader and slide into the pecking order and simply live it? How can the switch be so severe? And if GWB was so wrong, why isn’t our system set up to stop such destructive behavior?

I am thrilled that B.O. can get in there and make all the exact changes I would make. Great. But why does one guy get so much power? Is it our collective dream? Everyone wants such power, so we let one guy have it? I fear for the next GWB type that comes along. I don’t want him to have the ability to answer to “his higher purpose” or whatever the fuck he thought he was doing…and then dole it out followed by us all just eating it.

Art, for the next few years, is going to be mostly sad. We are in mourning.