An Ode to Government 

When I was child, I did not die of, nor was I crippled by, polio.

I also attended public school and am grateful that I live in a society that sees the value of making sure all of its children are educated, even though society might do a better job of it. Despite the shortcomings, the idea that we should educate everyone is a good one.

When I was a boy living in Ohio in the early 1970s, the Cuyahoga River in the northern part of the state caught on fire. This doesn’t happen as often as it used to. And, despite all the crap we’ve spewed into the atmosphere, it seems as if most of us have enough clean air to breathe.

During the summer of 1974, when my brother was 18, he hitchhiked from Ohio to California to visit family and pick up a car no longer needed by our grandfather. I was struck by how easy it was to move around the country with only a few bucks and a thumb. When September rolled around, he headed off to attend college at Ohio University and I, at 14, decided to go to California, too.

While my mother wasn’t very happy about this development, I think it’s a good thing that Americans can get around so easily and that most of us can just fill up the tank and drive just about anywhere we want. I’m not sure my thumb would work as well as it once did, though.

When I was sixteen, my step-brother and I, in another hitchhiking adventure, accidentally set a freeway on fire in Oklahoma. After the firemen put it out, the sheriff asked us, “Djou boyz staht dat fah?” “No sir,” we lied. Despite our delinquency, I am glad those firemen showed up like they did and, even though the sheriff didn’t get his man on that one, It’s comforting to know that people like him show up when things go south.

Speaking of the cops, I don’t always agree with the things they do, but slowing down speeders on the freeway seems like a pretty good use of their time. I wish they would do a better job of it, though, because a lot of people die in car crashes. Anyway, I’m glad to live in a society where almost all the cops honor the “to protect and to serve” thing and that those who have thoughts on these things can hash it out with one another.

When I was in high school (1974-1978) I took part in many of the recreational activities popular at the time… and for the most part I got away with it. Now that I’ve had some time to reflect, though, I think it is another good idea that our society, for the most part, exercises some measure of control over regulating what we should or should not ingest. I may not care much for the personal restrictions it imposes upon me, but I do like the idea that my neighbors don’t have easy access to mind-bending chemicals.

Speaking of which, as a bartender in a 1980s college town, I had a front row seat to all the things that people might do to have a good time. And, even though we cannot really control what people do to themselves, I think it’s another pretty good idea that there are those who study these things and then offer up some guidelines as to what is, or is not, good for us.

Speaking of ingesting things, it has been said that if we were to see the sausage being made we probably wouldn’t eat it. This was certainly true before we set some guidelines as to what it was that actually got ground up. So, even though I don’t really care to visit the slaughterhouse, I take some comfort in having some idea of what I’m eating for breakfast.

I have been extremely lucky in my life to have avoided serious illness or injury. When I have become sick or hurt, though, I received the treatment I required and was properly comforted while in need. Most importantly, I now go through my life knowing that should something bad happen, care is right around the corner. And, despite what you may have heard, in this country, this care is kind of available to just about anyone who needs it… This is another one of those things that could use some work but it’s nice to know that there are real people out there ready to help me when I’m bleeding.

Did you know that at any given moment there are roughly 5000 passenger planes flying over the United States? And, over the course of a day, over 45,000 flights carry about 3 million people? I think it’s a good thing that someone is helping them take off, fly, and land in the right spot.

My house is a pretty safe place to live even though electricity and natural gas run through it. I’m thankful that when disaster strikes, someone will be there to help. I’m also glad that cancer does not kill as many people as it used to.

I’m pleased that employers throughout my life paid a decent wage, were prevented from abusing me, and were compelled to keep the workplace safe. I like the idea that I’ll get some notice when bad weather is approaching. I think it’s a good thing that our society is more just than it used to be.

I like that the money in my wallet has a pretty consistent value despite the price of eggs. I trust my bank, too.

One of the saddest things to encounter is a No Trespassing sign. I’m glad that I live in a part of the country where in some places, for miles and miles, I don’t see a one.

Finally, I am eternally grateful to live in a society where I can speak my mind… for now, anyway.