revised?

  After writing yesterday I thought some more about all of that. Emotion rather than reason I mean. I got to thinking how it takes emotion to put the reason in motion. That is how the revolution began. The emotional response, throwing tea into the harbor and other protests, precipitated that happening. Those emotions were fueled by reason, or were they? I'm certain there were conspiracy theories galore back in those days as well. Actions motivated by those with financial interests attempting to influence those actions either for or against the crown. There was an awful lot at stake. Using emotion as a tool. Sometimes we call that tool propaganda, and what is propaganda if not an emotional tool? That is what it is designed to appeal too. I have written in the past by all of this, I find myself repeating certain themes, when I said, " emotions are great motivators, but seldom good guides." I believe that to be an accurate assessment of the human condition. We are often all excited, all hyped up on something, only to discover later on, it wasn't such a great idea after all. Buyers remorse is one example of that. 

 Emotion has little to do with age. It does have something to do with growth and maturity. Not everyone that grows old gains either of those qualities. That is evident, especially in the political world. Perhaps that is because it is far easier to convince people to do the wrong thing than it is to do the right thing. Isn't that why we admire those that have principles and stick to their guns! Those people stand for all that is right in the world, for justice, decency and trust. Still it can be easy to lead them away from all of that if you appeal to their emotions. You can even convince them that wrong is right. The easiest method is to create a dependence. The type of dependence isn't all that important. It could be financial or it could be an emotional one, ie: popularity. There are those that have a need to go with the crowd, to get positive reinforcement that they are correct, you know those people, the "everyone was doing it" crowd. As I said, age has little to do with that. There are those that despite age, success, wealth, power or position still require that. It is my thinking a good number of "entertainers" from all genres have that need. It doesn't diminish their talents, in fact, it may be the basis for that. I get it. I also feel we all have a bit of that in us, it's just that most of us learn to control those emotional needs. I am reminded of an old adage I read somewhere, "it is hard to remember the goal was to drain the swamp, when you are up to your butt in alligators." When we lose sight of the goal, emotions rule the day. 

 That is part of what I was thinking about yesterday. A good deal of the social issues we are facing as a nation are being decided upon with an emotional response rather than a reasoned solution. Say what you like but building a wall along the southern border to stem the flow of illegal entrants was a reasoned response. Emotions had to be set aside. No one wishes to see others suffer, but you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. Stemming the flow of illegals, by whatever name you wish to apply, is a common sense, reasonable response, to a serious issue. 

 Governing with compassion doesn't mean throwing open the doors. Governing with compassion doesn't mean simply give everyone whatever they want. The figure of Uncle Sam is symbolic of the relationship between government and the people. Uncle Sam will do what is best for all, protecting his family first. Uncle Sam will tell you, only two pieces of candy! The scales of justice are blind for a reason, The hope is the removal of emotion in the administration of justice, We have a jury of our peers for the same reason, That jury is supposed to weigh the evidence based on fact, not emotions. When that doesn't happen we say you have been tried in the court of public opinion, not the court of fact. Doing what is best for all, and by all I mean your family, in this case a family of Americans, is the compassionate response! Just like when your momma said, I'm doing this for your own good! It was hard to believe at the moment, our emotions were in control, but we learned later the wisdom behind that. Well that is if  we achieved a degree of emotional maturity. There are those that never do. 

 Let's act upon our emotions in a reasonable fashion. Even when that action may diminish our popularity. It may take a while for others to understand. In the meantime we should be secure in the knowledge that we are choosing the best way forward. We can't buy our way out! I see the government throwing billions of dollars at problems in an emotional response. No one in government actually believes it will solve the problem, just pacify the population. That is the key to them holding power, governance by appeasement. It won't work, as we all know you can't please all of the people all of the time. Eventually you will see an emotional response! Sometimes that response is revolution. It must be remembered that revolution doesn't revise, revolutions replace! Be careful what you ask for, the replacement may not be as good as the original was, seems that way most of the time doesn't it?