Beyond Ourselves

I’m feeling a little discouraged, today. I don’t know. Have you been watching the case about the nurse from Maine who came back from Sierra Leone after caring for Ebola patients? She now refuses to be quarantined. I can’t even begin to tell you how angry that makes me. Does that sound self-righteous or judgmental on my part?  I don’t mean to sound that way. I simply don’t understand this woman’s thinking.

My folks’ generation which would be those now in their 80’s have lived through a lot of “stuff” and they have seen a lot of changes in our society. When they were young, before vaccines had been beneficial in stopping so many diseases of that time, citizens voluntarily went into quarantine. I remember my mom telling me stories of a time when she couldn’t go home, because her mom had been helping a family who had come down with one of these diseases. There were many diseases prevalent back then: whooping cough, small pox, measles, mumps, and polio to name a few; I don’t remember which it was. But Mom came home from school one day, and saw a “Quarantine” sign on the front door of her home. She knew what that meant. No one was going in and no one was going to be coming out. That is the way they used to handle it; they would simply put a sign on the door to let everyone know. My mom didn’t try to fight it. She didn’t try to sue anyone; or even question it. She simply went to stay with a friend whose family also understood and willingly welcomed my mother to stay with them.

What a difference then as opposed to what we are seeing today from this woman!!

Further, when the astronauts returned from their trip to the moon, they willingly went into quarantine. Our troops, who have been forced to travel to West Africa, (whether they want to or not) are placed in quarantine when they return. And then we have Kaci Hickox in arrogance and selfishness, thinking only of Kaci as she refuses to stay away from the public for a mere 21 days. Shame on her!! When she acts this way, it is really hard to believe that she had anyone but herself in mind when she decided to go to Sierra Leone. Seems to me, it might have only been about the attention that would be brought to Kaci. The actions are otherwise as different as night and day, and it is nearly impossible to assume anything else.

Another troubling issue for me is that we have some voters that have also caused some problems for America.  There are those that should very well understand that if we don’t like the way America is going, then this election of all elections is crucial to make some changes. In order to get anything done, that would favor conservatives, the Senate must be returned to Republicans. Even most Independents have realized this. But in North Carolina, there are some in the tea party that do not seem to be thinking too clearly. Now while I am a tea party supporter, I am wise enough to know they also are capable of making mistakes. It seems in North Carolina, they are about to make a huge one!

In one of the closest Senate races in the nation, North Carolina’s Kay Hagan –D and Tom Tillis – R, could be the race that makes the clear difference in whether Harry Reid continues his liberal left rule in the Senate. This is also one of the most expensive races in the nation, but who cares! It seems we have some in the tea party blogging and campaigning and refusing to vote for the Republican simply due to the possibility of the creation of a toll road to Charlotte which they do not want to see happen. Right! Whatever is in your little corner of the world! All of America is crumbling before our very eyes, The United States Senate hangs in the balance and someone is worried about a 20 mile toll road charge. Whatever! I guess the little issue in your neck of the woods, takes priority!  This one single selfish issue, however, won’t simply affect the people on their way to Charlotte, North Carolina.  That toll road, if the vote goes the wrong way, will affect those in Bismarck, South Dakota; Gillette, Wyoming; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Boise Idaho. It will affect the entire nation, when it prevents the Republicans from gaining back the Senate.

Where have we come? Where is the understanding? Where is the focus on someone other than our own best interest?

It seems we have brought up generations that do not know how to see the bigger picture; they do not know how to see beyond their, own personal needs. Oh, that someone could grasp some of the insights and behavior of those of the greatest generation – those in their 80’s and who seem to be almost forgotten. But who most assuredly would not have forgotten anyone else.