The Sentinel

Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Commentary

Dear America,

Technology is wonderful. It has vastly changed the world in which we experience today. It is possible to shop, date, and play, all from the comfort of your own home. Modern convinces has led to instant knowledge and information any time of the day, from nearly anywhere, and you can get it all a la carte.
For the political junkie, such as myself, you can experience first-hand all of the idiocy and irrationality that is Washington D.C. Through C-Span's live video streams, you can now hear every ill-quoted remark, miss-remembered statement, cough, sneeze, sniffle, and whisper, all in high definition if you prefer.

One afternoon while watching Congress and drinking my daily gin and tonic, I conceded that the 21st century is going to be quite different. Before me on my laptop was Barney Frank, Chairmen of the House Financial Services Committee. And before him was some helpless capitalist political prisoner he had subpoenaed for the daily populist verbal whipping. As Barney bellowed and scolded the man I was able to see clearly every drop of mucus-ey saliva spewing from Barney's mouth, glazing over the poor microphone placed entirely too close to danger. In detail, and to my horror, I was able to experience the "Barney Frank Microphone Shower" like some theme ride at Epcot.

Unexpectedly, at that moment a light bulb flashed in my head. If I could see him, could he see me? Well of course not, the camera is there and my laptop is here. But that does not mean it is not possible for Barney to see me. What is holding him back? The technology is available, there is certainly enough political will to spend the money necessary to make it possible. So why not? Why not put camera's in every persons home? So then Barney and the rest of Pelosi's Hero's can see all the ways in which the American people are working to "re-make America." They could direct us in this "new age of responsibility." Just like the game The Sims, Congress could help us make the decisions we have obviously failed to do ourselves, and in that process they could achieve perfect equality, save the environment, and educate us to our fullest potential.

Of course this is all just ridiculous. Americans would never stand for a Congressman telling them what to do all day. Yet, as farfetched as the idea seems, this is exactly what is happening. Somewhere America has taken a wrong turn. Our government used to be an institution concerned about "safety." Now it is a fantasy quest for "control." We are all players, we are all characters. We are all trying to control one another. The Constitutional limits of our government are simply ignored. We now play games like 'give the money to AIG,' but then when public opinion recklessly swings the other direction we scream 'take the money from AIG!'

Continued...

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