FLOYD COUNTY — People didn’t know much about what was going on until TV came along. Electronics and gunpowder were two of greatest advancements in man’s pursuit of fulfillment. The recent invasion of digital devices, however, could become the greatest good ever, thus eliminating the need for gunpowder, which eradicates evil. As more of the world’s people gravitate toward the Web and become Facebook friends, then war and strife will be replaced with a peaceful kind of existence, except every four years during presidential elections.   

There are those who ascertain that money should be included in man’s quest for goodness. Politicians believe that money is not the root of evil, but a good that buys elections. The problem with money is that those who don’t have it, or even a pot to store it in, may become burdens to society by continually knocking at the U.S. Treasury door, which is about to fall off its hinges. We are encouraged, however, that if destitute, simply knock on the door of opportunity.

Before mass media consumed us, people worked, told stories, read and thought. There wasn’t much else to do, or other decisions to make. Now, we must decide whether to watch TV, cell or text. Sharp people can do all three plus eat, drive and doze. When do modern people work, sleep or think? We don’t really know, but we do know that birth rates are down. Chances are that people are getting their kicks from the media, and are so busily involved in social networking that physical contact with another human being is a rarity.

As television gained momentum about 60 years ago, people began to focus on it rather than actually living. Media is everywhere, like flies buzzing over a carcass and mosquitoes breeding in swamps. TV crews even go out and chase tornados and warn us when to take cover. If you care about your life, you should watch television most of the time, especially now with the presidential campaign in full swing. The message from both candidates is, essentially, “take cover,” from four more years of the same, or four new years of job growth designed by a job creator. A candidate, who rakes in $57,000 per day on his investments, knows something.

The future is not as complicated as it may seem. It depends primarily on money, which pays for political ads that buy votes. If you are a concerned citizen seeking happiness, you should send a check to a Super PAC [Political Action Committee]. They will spend millions for ads, which will probably depict the current liberal president as a socialist job-killer, who maybe has a fake birth certificate. PAC ads that attack his conservative opponent might reveal a super-rich man, who went on vacation with his dog strapped to the top of his car, and whose wife drives a “couple of Cadillacs.” Radio and TV ads sell soap, which fights scum, and Viagra, which promotes love. Candidates running for political offices fight scum and promote love, or hate, too.

PACs were legalized in 2010 when the Supreme Court ruled that “citizens” could “unite” and speak freely using unlimited amounts of money to sell themselves by demeaning their opponent. Citizens can unite into corporations, trade unions and other groups. Corporations — the bigger, the better — generally have more money than a union or a Garden Club. In other words, a corporation is a united citizenry, a “person” with or without a heart and soul, but possessing a one-track mind — profits! One other aspect of the ruling is that contributors to a Super PAC can remain anonymous. It’s a part of our democracy, which also permits an individual below the poverty line to freely express political speech. But you can’t remain anonymous shouting from a street corner.

The recent election in Wisconsin to recall Gov. Scott Walker from office was about free political speech, and money won. He had rammed through legislation taking away the right of public employees [teachers, fire fighters, police and other government workers] to bargain collectively. PAC money flowed into Walker’s coffers from everywhere and he won, after outspending his opponent by an estimated $46 million to $18 million.

The next president will be the best that money can buy — and, consequently, a burden to society. When your candidate ends his rousing speech with, “God bless you and God bless the United States of America,” turn off the television and pray to the higher power, who cast the money-changers from the temple.



Contact Terry Cummins at TLCTLC@AOL.com.