I have a love/hate relationship with the weeds in my garden . . . reminds me it's election season. (It's that a random connection or what?)
I hate them . . . they are unkind and make my yard look unkempt. But, at least they don't sling the mud.
Weeds steal, the little thieves, taking nutrients from my plants. They are the illegal aliens of my garden . . . sneaking over the border from my neighbor's yard (who apparently don't like to garden.)
Weeds are like politicians and entitlements. When they are brand new they deceive me into thinking they are something else. . . so I elect it . . . hoping for some unforseen treasure. Then, wham. It's too big, and out of control . . . I wonder whether I'll ever rid myself of it . . . and it has the nerve to act like it's entitled to be there.
Weeds multiply incredibly fast . . . like taxes. There are taxes on everything. Weeds grow in every area of my yard: shade, sun, dry, moist . . . dependable, but in a BAD way.
What I like most about weeds is removing them. There's great satisfaction in clearing a bed of bad weeds. It's a very zen-like experience (except that Buddist's value all life . . . Okay, so it's not Zen-like, but rather contemplative.) It's dirt therapy at it's best.
I hope I don't get as disenchanted with weeding as I have with politics. I don't have a whole lot of hope that politics will change come January 2009; no matter who is elected today. I'm not naive enough to think that the weeds won't come back . . . just like all the problems in our government. It's too hard to figure out what the root of the problem is, let alone eradicate it!
But, I'm complaining too much. I still live in the greatest country in the world. I still think there are good people out there trying to do good for others. I still think there are folks who enter into service for their country with the best of intentions. I guess what they say about weeds is true of politics . . . a weed is any plant in the wrong place. A politician is a statesman in the wrong office.
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