Howdy Friends.

I was just sitting here in my hostel bunkbed (lower bunk, by the way) pondering the mysteries of life and I thought I’d share a few of my insights. So buckle up, it’s time to dive into the deep well.

Nikki and I were discussing voting the other day … as in how we were going to do it. We’ll be overseas and the logistics of getting a ballot sent to a family member who could then forward it to wherever we happened to be and then getting it returned, etc was a little overwhelming. The great state of Florida doesn’t make it very easy to vote (what a surprise, right?).

But that discussion led me to ponder the greater election. For you see, I’m not terribly excited to be participating. It feels like we’re all eight years old and our parents hate each other. All they can do is fight, bicker, name-call, and try to get us kids to take a side.

They rarely take the time to cook meals, or drive us to soccer practice, or to even help us with our homework. They are just so involved in their mutual hatred of each other that there isn’t time for anything else.

And now, most of our brothers and sisters have picked sides and are openly joining in with the name-calling and rancor. They don’t seem to care that the family unit is falling apart and the household is in shambles. As long as Mommy or Daddy wins a fight, they’re happy.

Gathering up the motivation to vote feels like just another opportunity to tell Daddy that he’s an asshole and I love Mommy more. It’s not going to get food on the table because neither Mommy, Daddy, or pretty much any of our siblings care anymore. As long as the fight is won by their parent of choice. That’s all that seems to matter.

Now as an older white male you’d think that I wouldn’t have any problems. And yet I do. Ever increasing healthcare costs … oh hell, a healthcare system designed for corporate greed rather than actual health is a real problem. Plus so many others. And if I’m struggling, imagine how those with less resources and ability are coping. And yet, instead of lifting humans up, we would rather watch Mommy and Daddy bicker instead.

I will vote, yes. But honestly it feels worthless.

I can only hope that sometime in my lifetime we collectively come to our senses and tell both our parents to stop being so self-centered and selfish and to take care of the family like they are supposed to do. They can argue in private, but the family is hungry and they need to start shopping for food and cooking dinners again.

~ Rick

PS: And I beg of you, if you respond, please don’t prove me right. I’m not trying to incite more division. Don’t be that sibling that starts off with “But Daddy didn’t blah blah blah so it’s all his fault”. You and I both deserve better from those whose job is to care for us and do that which we cannot by ourselves. Listening to them tell us to pick sides just gives them both carte blanche to ignore their responsibilities. Like protecting us from corporate bullies.