STUCK IN THE MUD

AFTER THE RECENT ELECTION, A REPUBLICAN, JEFF FLAKE OBSERVED THAT "SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FIELD AND THE SILO...WE BECAME MIRED IN THE POLITICAL MUD." MUD, SUI GENERIS, IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLLUTER IF IT SYMBOLIZES THE MESSY CHOICES PEOPLE MAKE IN POLITICS AND IN PRIVATE LIFE. POST-ELECTION TIME IS APPROPRIATE TO CONSIDER HOW THE PRE-EMINENT PRINCIPLE OF FREE WILL, CHAMPIONED BY WILLIAM JAMES, CAUSES AMERICANS TO WALLOW IN SHARED, POLITICAL MUCK. THOUGH SMEARED EQUALLY, REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS, LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES OPT TO BOG THEMSELVES DOWN WITH DIFFERING IDEOLOGIES. AMERICANS COULD NOT BE MORE POLARIZED FOR THE SAKE OF LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

CHOICES IN DAILY LIVING ALSO POLARIZE AMERICANS. FOR EXAMPLE, ONE IMPENDING CHOICE IS WHETHER TO ATTEND THE FILM, "BORAT," OR LET ONE'S CHILDREN DO SO DEPENDING UPON ONE’S DEFINITION OF OBSCENITY. ANOTHER CHOICE IS WHETHER OR NOT TO HUNT FOR THAT AUTUMN DEER WHEN ONE DREAMS OF SLAPPING IT ONTO THE BACK OF A TRUCK BED AND HAULING IT HOME WITH VISIONS OF DELICIOUS VENISON STEAK DANCING IN ONE'S HEAD. ANOTHER CHOICE IS WHETHER A HUSBAND AND WIFE SHOULD LET GOD (OR 'FATE') DETERMINE HOW MANY CHILDREN WILL COME INTO A MARRIAGE OR MAKE A SELFISH DECISION BETWEEN THE 2 THAT SHE WANTS AND THE 4 CHILDREN THAT HE DESIRES. ANOTHER CHOICE IS WHETHER TO BE OR NOT TO BE A VICTIM OF TRANS FATS AT REPAST TIME.

NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER, IT'S TIME FOR AMERICANS TO EMERGE FROM THE MUD, CLEAN THEMSELVES OFF AND GET BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF DECISION MAKING. UNFORTUNATELY, CHOICES WILL CONTINUE TO REFLECT MORAL POLARIZATIONS. FREE CHOICE IS A HUMAN GIFT WHICH MUDDIES THE WATER IN THE FIELD OF HUMAN ENDEAVOR AS PEOPLE AIM TO STORE UP ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THE SILO LIKE FODDER FOR THE FUTURE.