A friend of mine commented recently that he “can’t process all that is going on. I have a form of emotional vertigo-nausea, dizziness, and an overwhelming desire for it to stop….Don’t know what to do.” I thought this was a powerful way to describe how I was feeling. If you google the term it will inform you that it is also called that long word in the title and caused by “anxiety, depression, or panic…a feeling of spinning, rocking or tilting.” I am reading about and talking to many people who are at wits end over the thoughtless actions of the current administration. Let me know how you are coping with the stress of the political maelstrom.
Another of my Friday message reader asked me “What can we do to help save our country from a madman? …..is there an effort afoot to organize in numbers to make our voices heard?” I have a few suggestions beyond writing or talking to your congressional contacts at all levels. Reclaim Idaho is a grassroots movement that is designed to improve the quality of life of working Idahoans. They organized the open primary and Medicaid for Idaho initiatives. They put donated funds to work in a positive manner. Idaho Leaders United is a powerful voice against bigotry and political violence, I have taken their pledge and encourage people to consider support.
The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights with the Anne Frank Memorial at its core provides an interactive classroom for Idaho’s school children and all ages to understand the importance of civic responsibilities. Idahoan’s United for Women and Families is an advocate for reproductive health. Idaho Business for Education is a significant business led organization for the support of Public Schools. I encourage you to sign up for Political Potatoes to keep in touch with Idaho politics. There are other great organizations working to protect families, children and the elderly in our State.
In spite of the active efforts of many organizations and individuals and against his own guidelines, Governor Little just signed a voucher bill that is sure to grow and challenge funding for public education. I was even more disappointed when he made a statement that called accountability into question in our public school system. I encourage everyone to let him know how you feel about vouchers, gutting Medicaid in our State and mandated Bible reading in public schools which are still being debated.
Buffalo Springfield’s classic protest song is worth a listen. Most of you will recall the lyrics of “For What It’s Worth” “There’s something happening here….what it is ain’t exactly clear, there’s a man with a gun over there, telling me I got to beware……..Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep, starts when you are always afraid, you step out of line and the man come and take you away…….everybody look what’s going down……” It was a protest song about Vietnam or perhaps the Sunset Strip curfew riots. We may need a song of our own to rally America to protect our hard won freedom.
The flowers may brighten your week end. Mike
Psychophysiological
