The idea to run for office came to her in May of 2014, Katryn was watching her favorite late night show. She enjoyed the nightly top ten lists and the humor shared with the viewing audience. She often laughed out loud. The Ridicule list count down was one of her favorites. Tonight's listing didn't bring a smile. That was unusual. Each point did bring a nod of agreement. Especially the very last one mentioned. Things have to change, she thought. That simple conclusion began a change within her that would lead to bizarre events, taking some big chances and a life others would seek to control.
The Ridicule list
10. The Conservative American Party
9. The Liberal American Party
8. The Congress
7. The Congress/House
6. The Supreme Court
5 The Senate
4. State Governors
3. State legislators
2. Politics
1. People who talk about politics.
"There we have it folks! Tonight we are all on the list. The people have spoken loudly and clearly. Blame in America is alive and well. Yes it is!The parties are blamed for everything and the voters are not taking responsibility for electing them. The solution is obvious, isn't it?" The crowd hollered their prompt card response, "What is the Solution, Brad?"
Katryn could not imagine what Brad's solution was going to be, but she was finally smiling because she knew it would be funny. What was the solution to all the political divisive nonsense spreading throughout the country. No, not just this country alone, it seemed to be a world wide phenomena.
"We train all those political clowns, right? We send them to clown school!" Brad announced to applause as he bowed to the audience.
Katryn shook her head, chuckling. Sounds about right, she thought. She imagined her Senators in class with a few of the politically rabid neighbors she knew who complained about everything that was going on and blamed it on the government. When she thought of Brad in clown school she broke out laughing. As she watched, Brad snatched a clown suit tossed to him, slid it over his expensive suit and a slid a prepared clown mask over his head and bowed to end the show. The credits ran briefly before cutting to a commercial, one of five.
She turned the TV off after watching an ad for an upcoming news special on protecting our border, and went into the kitchen to fix a cup of English breakfast tea.
She put the cup of water in the microwave with the bag in it and set it for ninety seconds. Imagine everyone in this country in Clown School. What an amazing country this would be. She could see new clown schools popping up in every community. Clown schools for the poor, the rich, and exclusive clown schools for the politicians. Yeah, that's what would happen. Even if such a requirement was made groups would still use it to divide people from each other and find a way to create degrees of status surrounding it. It wouldn't change anything. And maybe that was the real joke behind the idea. We need real change.
We need something new, she thought as the microwave whirred. . Something this country can get behind and approve. We need to do something that shatters the status quo. Something that will shake up the muddle we have created and offer America a return to hope and change. What could do that?
She fished the tea bag out and threw it in the trash. She laughed, looking down at the tea bag. Certainly not that group, she thought. Sitting down at the kitchen table, she took another sip of her tea. What could possibly do that? Who could do that? It would have to be dramatic. Or did it? Perhaps it was enough to take the first step.
It disturbed her that America was so split, so divisive. She saw so much anger, violence, and plain disrespect boiling out all over the country in news, television, and conversations. We have to do something, she thought. Each of us needs to take responsibility for what is happening to our country.
She realized, from her personal daily contacts, that people remained kind and courteous. That lasted until you pushed their button by raising a hot controversial topic dear to them. Even then, if you politely listened, and asked sensible questions exploring their beliefs, rather than attacking them or contradicting them, there might not be any hate bubbling out, even around the edges. But disagree? Challenge them? Oh boy, the hate and rage spewed like lava all over the questioner.