WAITING ON THE DOWNLOAD

waiting on the download
fishing from the downstream
in the new trickle-down information age economy
push button convenience
call waiting customer service
the user friendly interface is faceless
and static
we need dynamic
we need active content
and it better be entertaining
we shouldn't have to be bored by the bare facts
we couldn't care less for the charts and graphs
and actuarial tables
just give up a soundbite
because we are hungry
just give us a roadmap
because we are eager to follow
we are Americans
and we think we lead the world
we think we make a difference
we think we have a democracy
we think we think for ourselves
we think that watching television is thinking
we think that the only statistics that matter are generated in sporting events
we think that thinking alike is a good sign
we think that we are right
we can not admit when we are wrong
we know that we can be wrong
we are afraid to be wrong
we can not admit to being wrong
we are the superpower
we never make mistakes
America is strong
I am an American
that makes me strong too
but I don't have a job
get in line
put your hand out
to get your handout
here comes Uncle Sugar
ready to dole out the contributions of the productive
ready to grant to the criminal what is rightfully the victims
amnesty for millions who defy the law
and further restriction of those who obey
I pray for America
I really do
I worry when I look too closely
there is still hope for us
but it is faint and in need of our good faith and generosity
we can rebuild
we can improve
we can remove the impediments placed in the name of progress
we can reduce the deaths sustained in the name of democracy
we can educate the populace of its responsiblity
we can resume our place in liberty's light
or...
we can follow the two-party road to ruin
we can continue to call sides of the same coin
not realizing that we could've chosen dice of many sides
we've seen what that coin can buy us
why not take a chance on the dice?
give us a choice
that is all I'm asking
as I hear others asking to be freed from choosing

- S. Marvin Tuomala, April 16, 2004