A Healthy Distrust

 

I recently saw an interview in which someone commented, that “a healthy distrust of government” stemmed from the era of Nixon and Watergate. Shocked at the abuse of power, Liberals believed the press, and an informed populace, were the true checks on a politician’s limitless ambition.  Distrust was considered a core tenet of liberal politics, and over the years, its fans became well-represented in conservative politics as well.

Today, distrust seems to have metastasized.  It permeates every nook and cranny of our culture, left and right.  Many prominent individuals seize upon public distrust as a tool, to steer the ship of state, or to propel whatever local movement they can, toward chaos, or to manipulate concerned citizens into open rebellion. It is an understatement to say, that such distrust interferes with proper governance.  When taken to extremes, it makes governance impossible, and beside the point.

Of course, you may well disagree.  As does the fictional influencer, who voices this poem.

Thanks for coming by to read!

 

 

With a healthy distrust of government,

I toss the world aside.

I point my compass towards the North–

Though no one can deride

My right to choose, which way is North.

For up and down are up for grabs,

And I decide, what’s wet or dry,

And double things, by halves.

 

With a healthy distrust of government,

The world is on my shoulders.

That doesn’t bother me, at all.

In fact, it makes me bolder.

For having enemies allows

All actions, in defense.

I have permission, commit sedition,

And tear down every fence.

 

With a healthy distrust of government,

My following is massive.

They “like” to swim against the stream,

They cheer me on (though passive.)

My minions feed my ego, which

Requires a steady diet.

They jump, the moment  I say “Jump!”

And when I run, run riot.

 

A healthy distrust of government

Is not my own invention.

I piggyback on Democrats,

Who had the best intentions.

The Nixon years and Watergate

Made fighting City Hall

The cool-ist thing a lib could do.

But I’ve mad-libbed them all.

 

A healthy distrust for government

Means nixing vaccinations,

Means trashing masks, means never ask

For Fauci’s validations.

A healthy distrust for government

Means never-done elections,

And never-disproved conspiracy,

 

And infinite infections.

 

Copyright 2021 Andrea LeDew

 

For an ode to those who work in government and their changing reputation over time, read Public Servant.