Volume 5, Issue 48
According to critics, Carroll, in his writing of this book, attempted to metaphorically illustrate and emotionally connect the reader to the adolescent psychological struggles of a young girl. (i.e. finding the right ratio and proportions of her size).
But just as importantly, Alice was subjected to an irrational, maniacal Queen of Hearts. The queen’s designated rule in a certain defined area of Wonderland was marked and measured by nonsensical, self-conflicting, and self-serving decrees. When agitated, the queen’s response was always, “off with their heads.” Alice attempted to find solutions for existence in such a realm. She finally came to the conclusion that it was futile. The queen was not worthy of loyalty.
The Queen of Hearts’ authority, left unchallenged, projected chaos. That area of the United States, within which emanating authority of such illogical decrees exists, is Washington, DC. Certain Members of Congress continue, without reservation, to operate with little consideration for strategic pursuit of common purpose.
At least Alice experienced the Queen of Hearts in a dream. She got to wake up. We don’t. We are trapped in reality.
Recently, Congress, as a body, brought further shame and indignation upon itself that could only have been explained in Wonderland. A Member of Congress was accused of sexual harassment by a young staffer. He dealt with the matter by paying her a settlement with taxpayer money.
It gets worse.
There is a fund set aside in the Congressional budget to deal with such ongoing allegations. Who authorized that? What line item in the budget meets the definition of transparency that is titled “Fund to Settle Sexual Harassment Allegations?” The fund has been defended by certain leaders of the Democratic party, stating that the fund is there to protect the privacy of women. Really! What about accountability of the Congressman? What about good faith to protect the taxpayer? What about the absolute commitment to transparency?
It has further been reported that an estimated $170 million has been paid for such settlements with taxpayer dollars over the past several years. Who explained this line item in the debate to balance the budget? What Member ever challenged the personal responsibility of another Member to do the right thing? It is an unconscionable outrage that Members of Congress have lost sight of the concept of moral turpitude. It is a new low for Members of Congress to make excuses for the need of such a fund. If the fund has a place in governance, then illuminate it so that the public has full knowledge.
Draining the swamp may be too generous a term. Maybe disinfecting and cleaning out the sewer is more appropriate.
If not challenged, the nonsensical, self-conflicting, and self-serving decrees of this Queen of Hearts Congress, can permeate society, infecting our very roots.
In reference to the debate about the Republican proposal to cut taxes, progressive leadership went so far as to argue that if the tax cuts worked, the economy expanded, and middle-class incomes grew, then, within five years, a new segment of middle-class taxpayers would have to pay tax. This is Wonderland stuff. The Caterpillar asked Alice, “Who are you?” As she became more and more confused by the illogical elements of Wonderland, she questioned her own identity. The Caterpillar interacted with her in a way to make her feel inferior and dependent upon his intellect. The mind control distraction of Alice was amplified. In the invective debate about tax reform, progressives are implying that an individual is better off as a ward of the state. In so doing, they are confusing the very definition of a citizen’s identity to distract them from seeking independence from government.
Are we to believe that it is not a goal of the government to grow the economy to provide the middle class with the independence of economic prosperity to make decisions for themselves and know who they are? Are we to drink the hallucinogenic Kool-Aid that bends our mind to think that we are always to be dependent on government and let government define who we are? Like the Caterpillar, government fails to tell you, by design or negligence, everything you need to know to properly navigate your own course for your own destiny.
What Then Does This Mean
- As citizens, we must hold every Member of Congress accountable. We should demand that Congress terminate the slush fund for payment of sexual harassment settlements.
- As neighbors, we must engage in the discussion in the precincts where we live, work, play and worship to direct even the ephemeral themes of current events. We must then together consistently commit to tether all themes to basic principles of logical common sense.
It is no longer enough to roll our eyes in disgust. It is not sufficient to just shout, “Those idiots!” Those who care about future generations must persist in changing this decadent, illogical attitude of elected officials that a Queen of Hearts monarchy will be tolerated.
Alice observed that the queen’s army was nothing more than cards. Carroll may have meant by this that such despotism is based on a house of cards. Truth, illuminated and defended without excuse, produces a wind that can dry up a swamp.
Reality in real life and reality in politics are oftentimes not naturally the same thing.
Making reality the same thing in life and in politics, by defiantly honoring truth, is the essence of facing the Queen of Hearts.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?