Well, of course we want to continue our dependence on foreign oil, by all means. How else will we have hostile nations, and some of our allies "laughing up their sleeves" at us? They see our abundance of energy resources and our reluctance to use them to gain energy independence and this strikes them as funny.
They are laughing at us and some are laughing all the way to the bank. The latest unrest in Egypt and neighboring Middle Eastern countries (which has pushed gas prices at the pump up more than 25 cents) again demonstrates that we are held hostage to the whims and instability of nations ruled by despots.
The old expression "laughing up your sleeve" indicates that someone is secretly laughing at someone or something. For reasons unknown, the person doesn't want to show that they find humor in the actions of another. Perhaps because the person who is the object of humor is an unwitting fool who doesn't realize that he or she is the object of derisive humor. Reasons that this might be the case are, the object of humor might be a powerful, influential person who if angered could extract revenge on those mocking him/her.
Or, the person might in fact simply be a fool who "knows not that he knows not." Whatever the reason, we sometimes don't react honestly to someone who is making a fool of themselves.
This reaction also happens among nations of the world when the behavior of the people of a country or its leaders, "act the fool"; think of North Korea's dictator. It happens here when we observe actions of other countries that are laughable. Currently the U.S. is an object of humor in the eyes of others. Though it may not be a serious problem; some people see our obsession with entertainment and celebrities as laughable. We've become a "celebri-nation".
Serious problems include America's substance abuse which has consequences both nationally and internationally. It funds drug cartels and international terrorism and strikes at the moral fiber and health of individuals, their families and our nation as a whole. Yet we can't seem to deal effectively with our addictions. If you are a pessimist you might chalk this one up as a sign of a nation in decline.
Our national debt is another area where we are acting the fool and this causes some nations to laugh up their sleeves. We don't seem to have the wherewithall to come to grips with government spending, and can only agree to raise our "credit limit" or national debt ceiling. Another sign of decline?
If these statements make you uncomfortable, that's a good sign. You might ask yourself, "What have I done to make this a better country?" Do I have a cavalier attitude about drug addiction? Do I feel entitled? Did I vote in the last election, or the ones before that? Have I communicated with my elected representatives and voiced an opinion? Have I informed myself on important issues, do I understand our Constitution? Do I understand our form of government, a republic with democratic processes?
We have, in many cases, elected people to office who are competent, and dedicated. They have just been getting bad advice. They have been listening too often to lobbyists and not the people. If we the people don't assume our responsibilities we can't realistically expect the people we elect to accept theirs.
We then become a partner to the object of humor who is being laughed at, even if up the sleeve.
Reynolds lives in Pleasant View.
Comments