Please Leave a Message

8/5/2015

The Lay of the Land

By Lyn Messersmith

Please Leave a Message

            Because I’m screening my calls. The phone at one of my line camps doesn’t have caller ID. I’m not there often, and it’s unlikely that anyone who really cares will call that number, but if you do care, and do call, please leave a message; I’ll get back to you sooner or later.

            At the other home, I no longer pick up for numbers that say, Out of Area or Private Caller. My better half will talk to a computer, campaign volunteer, or survey person, but I refuse, just like they often refused to talk when I used to answer. This seems kind of rude, but the circus is back in town, complete with donkeys, elephants, and clowns. I’m not going anywhere near it.

            I don’t mind being polite to a telemarketer. They have to earn a living too; besides, they probably get yelled at a lot. Adding to their dismay won’t brighten my day, but neither will letting them go on with their spiel. They may as well call someone who will bite, rather than wasting time on me, so I interrupt the sales pitch—say, “No thanks,” and hang up. 

            Political calls, and pitches for a particular ideology or organization, are something else. Visitors in my home aren’t allowed to harass me, or my guests, with rants about controversial issues, so why would I permit someone to do it over the phone? Most of those callers are aiming to pick my pocket. Not much difference between them and the Nigerian Prince that emails me every other week, and I have no qualms about hitting delete in either case.

            Let me be clear. We are blessed to live in a country that allows us choices in selecting our leaders. I’ve voted in every election since I reached the appropriate age, and will continue that practice. But basing choices on what is presented in the media, or the persuasion of someone who has been recruited to apply pressure, is at best silly, and at worst, lazy.

Candidates are quick to tell us what they have accomplished in the past, but most of that is a matter of public record, and we are probably only being told the pretty part. Generally, how someone has behaved previously is an indicator of future actions. If they truly have reformed from being a rascal I’ll wait and see how long the conversion lasts before supporting them. Remember that old saying, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.  

Here’s another tried and true saying. “Anyone who tells you about the faults of his/her relatives, neighbors, boss, or co-worker will talk the same about you when your back is turned.” That kind of circus comes to our doorstep every day, in family gatherings and coffee shops, but we don’t have to buy a ticket, any more than we have to answer the phone.

I’m keeping my eye peeled for a candidate who speaks clearly and courteously, states what he/she would change, and offers solutions without casting blame. He/she won’t make wild statements about what would happen on the first day in office. Those folks either have delusions of grandeur or have bought off enough support so they can rule like King Herod. One other possibility—they believe people are gullible enough to believe empty promises.

Will some better options be offered as the campaign unfolds? We can only hope. The mess will sort itself out, like always. Names will be on a ballot, and we’ll mark a box, hopefully after having shut off the media and done some concentrated research.  Meanwhile, leave a message if you call. A polite one, preferably; there’s enough negativity going around already.