State of the Union

State of the Union



I remember when I was a kid and would lay on the floor in the living room after dinner watching TV with my family. I remember Ronald Reagan (I know, I'm old) when I was just little speaking on TV in what must have been his state of the Union Address. He said something that made my dad rather excited. So much that he cheered at the TV with a loud "YES!" I don't know what it was he was excited about. Looking back it could have been a number of things.

At the time my father was a small business owner, and still is today. He's worked most his life to provide a decent living as an entrepreneur. Maybe he was excited about something regarding taxes, or small business regulation, or even workers wages. Regardless, he thought the words of the president to be important and that they would have some kind of impact on his every day life. I see myself in contrast as not believing much of what even the president says on national TV to really have much potential to affect my real life.

Laws may be passed as a result. Tax credits may be passed. Debates will stir. I might find myself with a few more dollars in my pocket. By in large I strongly believe the actions of the government do little but provide the ability for me to act. I still believe government actions do nothing if I sit on my butt and accept the status quo. Who cares about small business loans if I'm not the one benefiting from it. For it to really make a difference, I would have to either start or own a small business. I do plan on doing this, but that's not my point.

Lawmakers spend countless hours in Washington drafting bills, debating issues, and working on the common good of the Union. It seems to me, despite their efforts, there is a strong disconnect between what happens in Washington and what happens in my personal life. I don't think I'm alone. This sort of apathy is common among everyone I talk with. I'm going to keep going to work in the morning. I'm going to plan vacations, spend money on things I need first, and those I don't second. I'll keep having relationships. I'll make friends. Those actions are hardly affected by what the President of the United States wants me to get excited about. So I don't. I wait for it to happen. The proof is in the puddin, but the puddin never shows itself for those who sit and wait. If you want it, you still gotta go get it.