What Do WE Tell The Children?

[NanceGreggs]

By Nancy Greggs

An Open Letter to the Republican Representatives Who Control Our Government:

We heard it over and over during the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal: What do we tell the children? It was a phrase obviously premised on the fact that the average first-grader was parked in front of CNN all afternoon, asking uncomfortable questions about the sexual conduct of the president.

Well, there are some very uncomfortable questions being asked by OUR children these days, and they flow from the very circumstances you have created. Therefore, I think it only appropriate that you give us some advice on how to deal with the queries being posed by the children of ordinary Americans across the country.

What do we tell our children when they ask why their grandmother’s health is failing, due to the fact that her life-saving medication is no longer within her financial means? Should we explain to them that the multi-billion dollar profits of the pharmaceutical companies are more important than Grandma’s health, or anyone else’s?

What do we tell our children when they ask why soldiers in Iraq have to fight without the necessary equipment, or have to use contaminated water to bathe in? Should we explain to them that Halliburton has been handed billions of dollars that were earned by mommies and daddies all over America, but that money goes into already-wealthy people’s pockets instead of being spent on the welfare and safety of the men and women who may die fighting for their country?

What do we tell our children when they see us crying because we have lost our jobs, and we can’t find another one? Should we explain to them that someone in another country was given that job because they agreed to do it for less money, so that the children of the people who own that company can have $250,000 birthday parties?

What do we tell our children when we have to feed them cheap meals four nights a week, because the price of gas just went up again and we had to use the grocery money to get to work? Should we explain to them that the oil companies can’t get by with the billions of dollars they are making already, along with the subsidies that mom and dad have to pay for as well?

What do we tell our children when they ask if we can help them go to medical school, or law school, or even a community college to learn a trade, when we can’t afford to contribute a single penny? Should we tell them to get a job that pays minimum wage, and maybe in ten years they will have saved enough for their first semester? Should we explain to them that training for ANY job right now is a waste of time, because it will wind up being given to someone in another country anyway?

What do we tell our children when they see photographs from Abu Ghraib, or hear stories about Guantanimo Bay? Should we explain to them that because we go to church on Sunday and sing ‘God Bless America’, God just looks the other way when we imprison and torture our fellow human beings?

What do we tell our children when they ask why the kid down the street who was caught with drugs had to go to jail to be punished, but when one of YOUR kids got caught with drugs, they went to the hospital to be cured? Should we explain to them that the difference between being a criminally inclined addict and a non-dangerous substance abuser depends on the financial wherewithal of the parents?

What do we tell our children when they ask why multi-billion dollar corporations are allowed to pollute our air and water? Should we explain to them that if the air is unbreathable and the water undrinkable by the time they are grown up, that’s because you thought it was more important to look after the companies that give you campaign contributions than to think about the world you were bequeathing to future generations?

What do we tell our children when they ask why there are people living in cardboard boxes on the street, when they’ve seen you and your colleagues argue about million dollar bridges-to-nowhere? Should we tell them that real people in need don’t matter, in comparison to people who might vote for someone who brought the bacon home to their state?

What do we tell our children about honesty and integrity in government, when the president gets caught lying or ignoring the laws of our country, and you make yourselves busy looking the other way, or come up with endless excuses for his behavior? Should we explain to them that although our country was built on the Constitution and the rule of law, once you get to be president you can arbitrarily decide that those concepts are no longer valid?

What do we tell our children about American democracy and its system of representational government, when you, our representatives, pay no attention to the needs or desires of the people who elected you? Should we tell them that this whole “democracy” thing has been a scam all along, and they’d better smarten up and get used to it?

What do we tell our children when they ask about The American Dream? How do we explain to them that it is no longer within their grasp, that it no longer exists for kids like them, that it is only available to YOUR children, and not ours?

I’m truly curious. On the off chance that any one of you has inadvertently raised a child with a social conscience, with morals, with compassion for their fellow citizens, when they become adults and look at what you have allowed to happen, what will YOU tell your own children?

You may not deign to answer the questions I have posed, but when that one is asked by your own child, you’ll have no choice but to respond. And I’d give almost anything to be there when you do.

[madame defarge]

1. Excellent & poignant...

PLEASE send this to every newspaper editorial board, to every congress person.

May I post this on another blog? (Are you a member on Daily Kos?) This really deserves to be read by as many people as possible.

[NanceGreggs]

13. Feel free to cross-post on other sites ...

... but I would appreciate attribution as the author, and a plug for DU (when possible) as the original publisher.

Thanks, madame defarge!

[madame defarge]

27. Thanks, Nancy ...

I posted it on Democracy Cell Project here ==>
http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/... as our thread header for today.

I also have posting rights at Daily Kos. Do you want it posted there as a diary?

[NanceGreggs]

32. Sure, Madam deFarge ...

... post away!

[madame defarge]

46. Now posted at Daily Kos...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/5/18/13847/8089

Sorry for the day delay. I thought that it would be better to wait a day...

[Kajsa]

33. This is a fantastic post!

You asked all the right questions.

The writing is excellent, and yes, parts of it are poetry.

Bravo!

[Homer Wells]

2. K&R! Excellent Post!!!

[Debau2005]

3. BRAVO!

[tnlefty]

4. In the words of my 16 yr. old, "Bush is a bastard now go back to bed"

His joke which is why I didn't chastise him too much for the "b" word.

As far as pollution it is a state of being with them - can't eat the fish from certain rivers or streams and they see the effects now not when they become adults.

To the questions that you posed my kids know what is going on. I don't shield my children from AbuGhraib, or the effects of war, or other horrors that people cause. They know that these things are wrong and can't figure out what is wrong with the grown ups who go along with these atrocities.

I think that the finer line for me is to guide them to fight for what they know is right and to not become depressed as they see and feel that it is slipping away. Never give up, even when the odds seem overwhelming, the fight is just too big, or that the 'bad guys are winning', there is something to be said for being able to lay your head down on a pillow at night and to know that in your small space in the universe, and in the space of humanity, I tried to avoid participating in something that harmed someone or something during my day today.

[NanceGreggs]

14. With parents like you out there ...

... I have greater confidence in the next generation.

"There is something to be said for being able to lay your head down on a pillow at night and to know that in your small space in the universe, and in the space of humanity, I tried to avoid participating in something that harmed someone or something during my day today."

THAT is poetry!

[WePurrsevere]

5. Excellent! This should emailed to every Republican Representative with a

demand for answers.

and R'd (and bookmarked so I can find it again)!

[motocicleta]

6. This is a question all parents have to answer, not just the pukes

I can only say that I am trying to do everything in my power to be able to say to my daughter that I tried, and to show her that there simply is no need to give up. We can prevail, we can make the world better for our kids. Hopefully we will be the generation that sees things at their worst.

[NanceGreggs]

15. A prayer for all of our children ...

"Hopefully we will be the generation that sees things at their worst."

[motocicleta]

20. Amen

[acmejack]

7. Great essay Nance, words from the heart.

Perhaps the most honesty I've seen here tonight. It is certainly refreshing to find this gem among all the complaints that the "conspiracy nuts" are making "us" look bad, often voiced by someone who has been among us for a mere 45 days or so, assimilation is swift in *'s America, I hear.

I see clever sig lines telling me that the owner has a problem with the "clowns on the left", what to say? I wonder what is happening here? The religious people are howling that they are being disrespected, the atheists are have the same complaint. I guess this cretin will sit here and consider all this and try to figure out what all this is about.

The more I really look at it, the more confused I am. We have more than our share of mean spirited people

[diamondsndust]

8. your writing always moves me. Thank you!

{Insert dumb question here -----> Do you write professionally or have your own site... or do you just always write from the heart? Very profound...

[NanceGreggs]

18. No, I don't write professionally, per se ...

... but I guess I do write from the heart - unfortunately mixed with a lot of anger and frustration about what is happening to my beloved country.

[diamondsndust]

21. I know how you feel...

I just can't put it into words like you can. When we were driving to town last week my 12 year old son asked me right out of the blue "dad, why do people have to be so stupid"? When I asked him who he was talking about, he said "the president". Seems they had been talking about him in school. He didnt say much else, as we had arrived at the store by then, but he knows things aren't right.

[Mythsaje]

9. And why did THIS pop into my head?

Swear allegiance to the flag
Whatever flag they offer
Never hint at what you really feel
Teach the children quietly
For some day sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?

[NanceGreggs]

16. A spine-tingling response, Mythsaje ...

... because that is one of my favourite songs. How appropriate to have posted it here tonight.

[Mythsaje]

17. That's a weird coincidence, then...

LOL

It literally just popped into my head when I was reading your essay. Eerie, when you think about it.

[driver8]

10. Wow!! Excellent post!! I have those same thoughts, but could

never express them the way that you did.

I have to say that this is one of the best posts I have ever read!!

Highly Recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AuntiBush]

11. Profound & Remarkable Post.

What do we tell them -- like they care.

Edited: Like they care, meaning Republicans in charge.

[laugle]

12. Nancy, this is a excellent letter--did you send it out?

Do you mind if I borrow it and send it to my local paper (editorial page)?

[NanceGreggs]

19. If you think it worthwhile ...

... please feel free.

[fooj]

22. Thank you for this.

[LWolf]

23. The truth.

Unvarnished, undecorated. Tell them the truth.

[blondeatlast]

24. Their hypocrisy is so aggravating, Excellent essay, Nance. Thank you! nt

[4_TN_TITANS]

25. Excellent....

My kids have noticed that the cupboards are almost bare because I have to pay so much more to Big Oil for the privilege to go to work (to buy a few more groceries). I make sure that they know just who to blame. Unlike Republicans, I know exactly what to tell my kids - the truth in every situation that affects them (blowjobs excluded).

[paparush]

26. My 11 year old literally smacks his forehead...

at the incessant stream of Bush** lies/abuses, and asks, "Pop, why hasn't George Bush been put in prison for causing all of these people to be killed?"

[babylonsister]

28. Wow. You continue to impress me!

I adore 'NanceRants', and look forward to them. Another sterling job, my friend!

[elmerdem]

29. thank you! well put.

I have a 5 yr. old & a 7 yr. old. Children are our only hope & we must show them at a very young age how to be kind & how to care. There is no better thing for a human being to have than empathy. Involve them in asking questions, but also allow them the freedom and give them confidence to also search for the answers. The are usually better than adults at identifying the right answers.

[OneBlueSky]

30. what do we tell the children about why the greatest nation on Earth . . .

chose to contaminate a people, a nation, and even its own troops by using depleted uranium weapons in vast quantities in Iraq . . .

the use of these weapons is not only a war crime, but a crime against humanity of the first order . . .

[The Icon Painter]

31. Thank you

I especially thank you for your generosity in permitting this to be cross-posted. I have just put it on the anti-Bush community board at Live Journal. I gave you full credit and stated it came from DU. Your eloquence should shake some people from their mindless acquiescence in this horror.

[NanceGreggs]

34. Thanks, but it's not generosity ...

... it's an obligation on all of us to keep spreading the word, far and wide. It's not like we can depend on the MSM to open their big mouths about ANYTHING of substance these days.

Thanks, MadameJ!

[shaniqua6392]

35. Absolutely beautiful.

Yet sad because it is all true. Thank you for posting it.

[shaverp]

36. ABU Ghraib

Oh Nancy, you are so right!!! Hey, why don't YOU take some of those terrorists/prisoners home with you? I'm sure they didn't mean to hurt anyone.
And, oh, hey, If you can't afford to take care of children, ie., pay for school/college, etc., hey, DON'T HAVE ANY!!!!

[NanceGreggs]

37. I don't usually respond to people like you, but ...

If the prisoners at Abu Ghraib are all terrorists, why are they routinely questioned and let go without charges or trial? Some of we Americans still believe in the LAW, even though your president doesn't. The same goes for Gitmo - if Georgie thinks these people are all guilty of something, why doesn't he charge them with anything?

As for people not having children they can't afford, the problem is that millions of Americans had their children back in the good old days, before they had their jobs outsourced, before the GOP handed their tax money over to Halliburton, before Georgie and his buddies gave tax subsidies to their oil friends, et cetera.

Maybe we should have been prescient and foreseen that a bunch of money-grubbing bastards would be running (and destroying) the country before our kids reached maturity.

Now, toodle along to the kiddie table, so the adults can continue their conversation uninterrupted.

[The Wizard]

38. hey

Your dear leader is a big jerk off. Stick around and get educated, and by the way, you're on the fringe if you still support "you know who."

[The Wizard]

39. If you're a Bush-Davidian

You tell them that it doesn't matter that the Administration is a pack of rabid assholes, scumbags and war profiteers because there's no stained blue dress. History will remember them as hickeys on a hemorrhoid. Hatred is not a family value.
Off topic: if anyone remembers Geraldo's prison interview with Manson, Busholini sounds just like Manson. You know they've never been see together.

[NanceGreggs]

40. Yes, I do remember Geraldo's interview with Manson ...

... I also remember his "Opening Al Capone's Safe" debacle -- the big build-up, the insistance that something WOULD BE THERE, only to come up empty-handed. Kind of reminds you of Bush talking about those WMDs in Iraq, doesn't it?

[The Wizard]

43. The thing about the Manson interview

is Charlie saying "You have not turched my inner circle." The language butchering and affects sound just like Dear Leader, Kim Jong Busch.

[NanceGreggs]

45. And when you think about it ...

... the resemblance doesn't stop there.

[cassiepriam]

41. Nancy, beautiful job.

Wonderful.

[DFW]

42. Maybe only the choir will hear

But we are one very appreciative choir indeed.
Thanks for this. You reminded me of a poem I read
long ago:

i sing of Olaf glad and big



i sing of Olaf glad and big
whose warmest heart recoiled at war:
a conscientious object-or

his wellbelovéd colonel(trig
westpointer most succinctly bred)
took erring Olaf soon in hand;
but--though an host of overjoyed
noncoms(first knocking on the head
him)do through icy waters roll
that helplessness which others stroke
with brushes recently employed
anent this muddy toiletbowl,
while kindred intellects evoke
allegiance per blunt instruments--
Olaf(being to all intents
a corpse and wanting any rag
upon what God unto him gave)
responds,without getting annoyed
"I will not kiss your fucking flag"

straightway the silver bird looked grave
(departing hurriedly to shave)

but--though all kinds of officers
(a yearning nation's blueeyed pride)
their passive prey did kick and curse
until for wear their clarion
voices and boots were much the worse,
and egged the firstclassprivates on
his rectum wickedly to tease
by means of skilfully applied
bayonets roasted hot with heat--
Olaf(upon what were once knees)
does almost ceaselessly repeat
"there is some shit I will not eat"

our president,being of which
assertions duly notified
threw the yellowsonofabitch
into a dungeon,where he died

Christ(of His mercy infinite)
i pray to see;and Olaf,too

preponderatingly because
unless statistics lie he was
more brave than me:more blond than you.

E. E. Cummings

[SunDrop23]

44. Bravo!!!