Madeline Kahn, as Lilly Von Schtupp in the 1974 movie hit Blazing Saddles, said it best when she told an admiring crowd of rowdy cowboys, “I need some rest.” Speaking of uninspired love, she looks them in the eye and snarls, “Let’s face it, I’m tired!” The repertoire continues as Lilly tells the raucous group that she is “tired of playing the game, isn’t it a crying shame.”
The spoof is an apt description for the feelings of many residents who have endured weeks of stay at home orders, loss of livelihood and a barrage of societal evils that have festered for centuries without resolution. Our situation has become a parody of contrived television reality shows that cannot be switched to another channel or turned off. Unlike an episode of Big Brother or Survivor, we are not going to be voted off the show and escape scrutiny and introspection. This isn’t a competition to see who wins a prize or emerges with fame and fortune. Our struggle is for the very soul and decency that is the basis of democratic liberty and freedom.
It is tiring to continue to work toward a “more perfect union” and confront imperfections. The easy route is to let someone else do the worrying and relinquish thought and control to others. After all, it can be argued that the average resident has other pressing personal concerns beside behavior that seems distant and removed from daily life. Why all the fuss about things that may not directly affect us?
The answer is simple… these issues that have come to the surface including personal safety and financial security DO directly affect our wellbeing. We depend on a system of laws, government administration and checks and balances to protect and guide our societal norms. Without them, irritating, faulty and dangerous behaviors can run rampant and basic services and supplies we depend on every day will cease. Without oversight and examination, an assumption of serenity is fraudulent, leading to disastrous consequences.
Inconvenience is a small price to pay for vigilance. The eruption of a global pandemic and revelations of a flawed legal and law enforcement system is a not a reality show. The United States Constitution begins with a preamble that outlines the guiding principles of the document. It states:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence,,promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
As issues have risen requiring clarification, amendments have been added. Public participation in government was, and remains, an essential component of the United States of America infrastructure. The first amendment, a critical component of the first ten amendments, termed “Bill of Rights”, ratified in 1791, is clear, stating:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Leaders of our country in those days were probably tired of the bickering and societal problems that would not disappear with the founding of a new and unique nation. However, they believed so strongly in an ideal, with recognition of human frailty and faults, they persevered and crafted a roadmap toward what they considered a state of grace.
Amidst all of our present trials and tribulations, we should do no less.