It's the 4th of July, Independence Day, a day to celebrate our freedoms, show our patriotism, acknowledge our country's forefathers for the wisdom of the Constitution. And in the past I've not only enjoyed the cookouts and the firewrks and the celebrations (OK, and the cockails), feeling as though I have a place at the table (so to speak). This country was built on the idea of no taxation without representation (hello, Boston Tea Party). And the representation? Well, I have a vote.
So what's on my mind?
Consumables.
No, not edibles. Although edibles are consumable, not all consumables are edible. It's the non-edible consumables that have me concerned.
Did you follow that?
Consumables have been on a lot of our minds lately, since the beginning of Covid, really.
It started with the great toilet paper debacle of 2020, and went on from there. Food prices have, in many cases doubled. Some I can't even find any more. And the sizes of the bags and cans have decreased (wreaking havoc on recipes that call for a can of something, btw), as the prices increase.
Raspberry Lime Slice and Bake Cookies
And along with the loss of quantity has gone quality. Those items we'd not thought of as consumables, but durables, are no more. When our fairly new dishwasher died, the installers of the new one told us that they are now only made to last a few years. Same with our fridge. We have one in the basement that's from the 1970s, yet the newer one in our kitchen has been replaced twice. Include electronics in that category too, TVs, cell phones . . .
But what has me most concerned on this 4th of July is the latest to go into that consumable category, newly considered disposable.
Me.
All of us, really.
Face it, with gerrymandering there now is taxation without representation.
With both our judicial branch and our legislative branch going rogue, voting and mandating their own personal agenda without regard to the will of the overwhelming majority of the people, our humanity has been compromised. In the current climate in this country, I no longer feel valued, or even safe, as a Jew, as a woman, as a citizen.
Our voice, our vote, is not a seat at the table, but a means to an end. Election. And once that is achieved, we are discarded.
Consumables.
Raspberry Lime Slice and Bake Cookies
©www.BakingInATornado.com
1/2 stick margarine, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp lime zest
1 egg, room temperature
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz raspberries, chopped
Directions:
*Cream the butter, margarine, sugar, and lime zest, then beat in the egg.
*Cream the butter, margarine, sugar, and lime zest, then beat in the egg.
*Starting on a low setting until incorporated, beat in the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix in the raspberries.
*Flour your hands and roll the dough into a log, enclose in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover baking sheets in parchment paper.
*Slice the dough into about 1/2 inch slices.
*Bake for 12 - 14 minutes, until they start to brown. Leave on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before removing to cool completely.
Horrifyingly true. But please don't give up!!!
ReplyDeleteTrying. I'll tell you this, whether it makes a difference or not, I will definitely vote.
DeleteThose cookies sound really good. Happy 4th of july.
ReplyDeleteSame to you, Mary.
DeleteIt's scary, even in a state known for corruption, as ours always has been. Where are the statesmen and stateswomen when we need them?
ReplyDeleteThey're doing exactly what they shouldn't be doing, looking out for their own self interests.
DeleteHave you been peeking into my mind? I feel much the same way, for the same reasons (Jew, woman, citizen). First, I ask, where is our Great Person who will save us? There isn't one in the wings so it is up to us, boys and girls. Scary but the least I can do is not give up and continue to vote. I know more is required than that, but losing faith is losing our country.
ReplyDeleteVoting, yes, but the big fight is to protect voting: vote by mail, early voting, ballot boxes without armed vigilantes, taking gerrymandering to court, allowing voters standing in line in the hot sun to be given water, keeping polls open early and late for those who work, stop targeted voter roll purging, stop closing poll locations to make it harder to vote. Our ability to vote is being attacked, and that's what makes me lose faith that we can even make a difference at all through our vote.
DeleteThe price of so much stuff is too high and not up to scratch here in Aussie land
ReplyDeleteVoting is something I take seriously but hubby doesn't and always wastes his vote which I don't get
Things are dire here, I hope all of us in this country give some serious thought to the consequences of not voting.
DeleteThis was such a profound and deep Post, I feel the same way and have ranted about it more than a few times in my little slice of Blogland. I am concerned for the Future and especially for our Young People who will inherit quite a mess to run damage control behind. So many of the Young folks I talk to feel rather Hopeless about the future... and that makes me so sad, they should be envisioning a bright one for themselves, their Children, and all other Future Generations.
ReplyDeleteI agree, although what I've seen in the next genetration is three groups, those happy with the way we're moving (yikes), those who aren't happy but feel there's nothing they can do about it (many of whom don't vote, which is a huge issue), and those willing to fight for change. I hope to see this 3rd group continue to grow.
DeleteExactly and if you didn’t expect it, the number of mass shootings across the country. Happy 4th and duck. Donna
ReplyDeleteThe complete lack of not only urgency but response at all is truly the most ominous sign of what is in the minds of our politicians.
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