We Need a Little Christmas

The mood of the country is ugly. In fact, the mood of the world is ugly. The riots in London, which have only been scantly reported by the American media, are about as ugly as they can get. Police were almost forced to draw guns on the mob as it attacked a car carrying Prince Charles and Camilla. The rear window was broken, and it looked dicey for awhile as bottles, rocks, and rotten fruit were thrown at the car. America isn’t there yet, but it’s close. The anger is palpable.

Maybe the country needs a rest. Maybe the country needs a little Christmas, as the song so eloquently declares. To quote Jimmy Carter, there is indeed a malaise over the nation. Things aren’t near as festive this year. Retailers have cut back. The decorations are skimpy. The news is depressing. The weather, at least in northeast Ohio, has been abysmal. America needs some time off to take stock of things. America needs to review the situation.

The good news is that as American institutions continue to sputter and fail, the American people are showing resiliency. The very nature of the country is being debated everywhere, from quilt clubs to coffee shops to dinner tables to churches. The debate is heated, but at least there is debate as America moves to redefine itself in ways that are monumental. What is the nature of our Constitution? What is the nature of our Democracy? What is the nature of property? What is fair…and what is greed? What is the nature of our commonality as a nation? What does Rule of Law mean? What is our role in the world economically and militarily? Can you imagine these types of issues being examined in any meaningful way as little as three years ago?

But it’s time to put the debate aside for awhile…say two or three weeks. It’s time to go home to our families and appreciate what we as individuals and as a nation have achieved. It’s time to hug your spouse and children. It’s time to bake some cookies. It’s time to party and to enjoy ourselves in the midst of traumatic times. Decorate your tree. Put up the lights. Go buy some presents. Go sledding or skiing. Drink toddy…the stronger the better. Go visit some friends or go out for dinner. Go see a Christmas show. Turn off the news and sports and turn on some Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby Christmas tunes, and watch the lake effect snow blowing outside your window.

Yes, we need a little Christmas. Right this very minute. Candles on the table. Carols at the spinet. And if you don’t have a spinet, turn on Fa la la la Lifetime and watch a hokey Christmas movie. Those are win/win. They will either make you glow all touchy feely inside, or be glad to be living in the reality of today’s world because nothing can be that sappy!!! Somebody got paid good money to write that stuff.

So, America, take a break. Cool it. And go and celebrate the season. Pelosi, Reid and cohorts will still be there after January 1.