While 2014 has been a transformational year for me, I end the year, questioningly shaking my head about a number of issues. Not all of these issues are unique to 2014; some have been around for ages.
Why do so many people turn into raving idiots while sitting safely at their keyboards
If I were to make a New Year's Resolution, it would be to never, ever read the comments on a news article again. I don't understand why news articles even need comments. Idiotic comments are not found only attached to news articles. I have read some moronic things attached to posts of organizations I "like" on Facebook.
I used to like a food page, but I couldn't handle everyone who complained that the posted article didn't address GMO food or was a meat recipe. I am concerned about GMOs and I'm a vegetarian, but I cannot stand fundamentalists in either camp. Stop being self-righteous pricks!
Then, I read some horrible, vile comments this year. If anyone thought for a second that racism is dead, think again. The worst had to be when some "human" called Tamir Rice an "unsupervised ghetto rat." Who thinks like that?
Why do so many lack empathy?
From what I can find, about one-third of all Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. Some wealthier people do it to max out investments. But, I suspect that middle class families who do this, do so at great risk. One job loss or major medical issue, and they would be wiped out pretty quickly. I'm sure they know that. With so many people living in poverty (15 percent) or on the brink, why do we as a society accept so many policies that punish the poor for being poor? Drug testing for welfare recipients, anti-minimum wage hike sentiments, cuts to food stamps? This is how we treat the poor in our country.
How did we become so apathetic?
Sixty percent of eligible voters stayed home on Election Day this year. I get that the system is broken. If my car wasn't working properly, it wouldn't get fixed by sitting in the driveway. I'd have to tinker with it, or go to someone who could help me fix it. The system isn't going to fix itself folks; it needs handy men and women who are willing to do a little work to make take it back from the oligarchs.
Does everything have to be scented?
I own a Swifter. I know it's not the best environmental cleaning tool out there, but I own one anyway. I have found it impossible to buy sheets, name brand or generic brand, that are not scented. That scented stuff gives me a headache. Today at the store, I saw dish towels that have dish detergent and scent in them. Too many hidden chemicals.
Will there be a Detroit Difford/Tilbrook show this year?
Did we do something wrong? What can I do to fix it? Just once, I want to see you guys sing and afterward, I go home to my own bed. The last local show was 2008. I'll cook, make cake, whatever - just sing in Detroit this year.
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