Red Room Where the Writers Are

I asked a friend of mine who is older and wiser: "Why do things seem to be getting worse? Am I just noticing more because things have always been this way or are there really more negative things happening in the world?"

He replied, quite curtly: "News gets around faster these days."

It seems to me that the United States' political system has lost its way. We have news agencies voicing support for particular candidates. What ever happened to "Fair and impartial?"

We have radio announcers deliberately trying to undermine our democratic process.

We have state election officials who don't know how to properly seal ballot boxes.

We have large companies lobbying the government so they can maximize profits at the expense of so many things its difficult to fathom.

There are people deliberately striking fear into people to make money and maintain power.

There are people engineering food so poor people become dependent on them for seed production.

I mention these things to my wise friend and he smiles. "You're absolutely right," he says, "but this is no different from ten years ago, no different from one hundred years ago and no different from one thousand years ago. This is the way of human affairs, why are you so surprised?"

This old friend of mine, who is like a gentle old Dad to me, knows my penchant for truth and honesty and as usual instead of winding me up, he's trying to help me unwind. He's a good man and I'm lucky to have met him.

"I want to help!" I whine.

"How can you help?" He asks.

"I don't know. I keep trying to figure out a way but it all seems hopeless."

"When you figure it out," he replies, "let me know and I'll help you."

There's a lot to be said for a man knows how to inspire a man to action, but much more to be said for a man who knows how to inspire a man to inaction. Soft Dad seems to do both with his words. He tells me to be patient while a solution presents itself and he inspires me to keep working for a solution.

I love my Soft Dad.