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Jim, as bitter as a Michigan winter can be, you managed somehow to find a path out. I wonder, if you had been one of those boys in a “puffy down jacket, ski tag on the zipper”, would you have been motivated to move on? I’ll bet not. People—Gere and his like excepted—want to be left alone. “the government that governs least is the government that governs best” is the political credo of most citizens—and not just in this country. The truth is, we don’t want to know what is really going on, we just want to know that the HEB is open, the roads are clear, and our money is still good. Of course, all of those things depend on government officials seeing to their very important duties. What is so very strange to me is so many who loudly proclaim that “I did it myself” don’t realize the simple fact: government, big government, government that has its fingers in every aspect of their life, is a necessary by-product of living in a complex, exploitative society. We are a step away from savagery without our rules and laws and , yes, a too-often over-bearing government that orders you connect your septic tank to the city sewer. What we should be demanding is that our political leaders actually solve problems and make our lives fuller and richer rather than wasting time and resources arguing about personal choices, such as abortion or gay rights—often crucial personal concerns— but best left in the sanctuary of the home, with the government making sure those choices are respected, just as it does in the choices of marriage, careers or the design of our latest tattoo. The failure of our political class is that they are unable and unwilling to face issues that can only be solved collectively, : climate, war, poisoning our environment, immigration. These are problems that we “can’t do ourselves.” Unfortunately for us, our political leaders —of both parties—seem more interested in their careers than problem solving. A wholesale change in leadership is needed and it ain’t happening fast enough. We are a stiff-necked people, stubbornly clinging to illusions of self-sufficiency.

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Bill - Although we never had the occasion for a long conversation on these matters, I am pleased to know we share the same sensibilities. I concur with your analysis. But I also fear that it is the fatal flaw in our democracy. If people can't even be involved enough to be informed, we end up with the Trumps of our culture. I've always argued that the reason despots succeed is because they make certain that we can conduct those commodious activities you just mentioned while they steal and rape the country they pretend to lead. Government is, indeed, the organizing principle of every one of history's cultures, and when people do not get involved, those governments tend to malfunction and even become evil. I'm always amazed at American foolishness of voting for people who run against the government. "It's horrible in Washington. Please send me there." Hell, most of them don't even tell the lie they will try to fix it. They argue the government is flawed and horrible and then win public office and go about the business of proving that statement. Anyway, I'll stop my rant. I appreciate you reading and your note. It was great to hear from you, and I trust you are well. - Jim

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Growing Up took me back to my childhood in Berkeley in the 60s and the "Gary" in my world, an older sister explaining the depths of America's conspiracies to me. You and I spent our childhoods at opposite ends of the country, but the common ground is there. The great gift of your writing is your ability to tell us your story against the backdrop of national events and the condition of humans, while linking us all together with common ground. My mind re-visited a past that moved at the speed of light with death, protests, disillusionment, and a struggle to hope for better days. Everything IS political if we use the definition, "the public affairs of a country." I hope your writing remains, political. We need it.

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Thank you, Myra. I'm deeply touched by your kind words. I don't imagine I will stop being political in my writing, but I know some stories that are lovely and have no politics, and need to write them, too. It's been great to connect with you in our post-TV lives.

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Your gift is tremendous. I'll keep watch for stories outside of politics. It has been awesome re-connecting, post-TV. I guess we have to thank Chris for that. LOL.

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