One Bad Apple

A few months ago, eating an apple during a lunch-time walk, I bit into an area that immediately tasted bitter. As you might expect, I quit chewing and looked at the apple. It was rotting from the inside out. I spit out the offending chunk into my other hand. If I hadn't, it would have come up anyway... an involuntary expelling of matter.

Now, some have tougher stomachs than I do and could have finished that apple without a skipping beat. Or is it that their taste buds are numb... so they can get anything down? I know I'm just a basicguy, but I'd prefer to be able to taste things and repulse food that is rotten.

Now why am I talking about such a silly subject? One reason. I've been following the multitude of news stories that reveal a rotten core in American society. We see it in politics, business, schools, families, neighborhoods, entertainment, and even religion. The recent story of corruption in Illinois politics is just the tip of the ice berg. Watching the evening news shows waves of corruption throughout American society.

Are American societal taste buds numb? How can we continue to stomach such corruptness in our midst and not do something about it? Will we continue to allow individuals with rotten cores to take office without a fight? Personally, I'm sick of the ever growing rotten core. I say cut it out before it corrupts everything else.

Now, it will take an effort. We need more interest at the grassroots level in this country. It's in the grassroots that most normal people reside. That's right... we need to get back to basics. I know, we need a bunch of basic guys and gals to step forward and challenge the rotten status quo. Too many are in business and politics for power, prestige, and profit... what's in it for me. That attitude corrupts. Basic guys and gals tend to think of others and do things for the greater good. Somehow, we've lost that feeling in much of public America.

Now, most apples that I eat have no rotten core. I know America is yet full of good apples. Let's find them and encourage them to stand up to the growing corruption. Then let's support them so they have an opportunity to win and help set new standards for our country. It won't be easy... there is a lot of money in the hands of all the wrong people. But their money can't by votes, only the ability to deceive.

We, the people, the grassroots, must become more vigilant in finding the right people to lead us. We have to take more ownership for the information we obtain, understand, and believe. But we can do it. If we will. I'll do it if you will. Good luck.