If you discuss shock-rock, the original rebel was Alice Cooper. Bad kids listened to Cooper, the rest of us good kids had the Rolling Stones or AC/DC to fall back on. This made it even more surprising when Mr. Cooper took to task those in the rock world that espouse the candidacy of John Kerry. Then again Alice Cooper held true to his beliefs. He accurately pointed out that these were musicians, not politicians, and their opinions really did not matter in the political world.
He also made a valid point by questioning why rock musicians were in bed with politicians in the first place. New groupies I suppose. Rock music is the antithesis of structure. A freedom loving industry rooted in rebellion. Now we have some musicians holding hands with government bureaucrats like love sick teenagers.
I liked Bruce Springsteen better when he sang about girls, cars and summer. Those were what made his songs special to me. I am fond of his music, but I don't need him to also tell me how to vote. Especially now that he is a middle-aged millionaire selling tickets that the average working man can not even afford. He has become just another limousine liberal and corporate sell out who has spent too much time in Hollywood and not enough time with working people. He must have been blinded by the light on his way down thunder road to the Promised Land or he has simply been in Candy's room way
too long.
I grew up listening to Jackson Browne. When I am drained from a hard day at work, I pop his CD into my truck and blast out "Running on Empty." This is precisely what candidates he supports must be doing as well. He seems to be stuck in a time warp. Jackson Browne seems to be waiting for Tom Hayden to run again. This is so unfortunate for someone so talented and he should stick to doing what he does best.
Don Henley, and who does not love the Eagles and "the Don," seems to have been drinking from the same water---or sharing the same smoking device as Browne. Henley really is "building the perfect beast." Unfortunately for him that beast is a huge government that is neither brutally handsome nor terminally pretty. I keep waiting and hoping Don Henley, like the character in his song "Desperado," will finally come to his senses and support less government and more freedom. If he really wants to see a "hole in the world" he should try politics in China, North Korea or Cuba for the "long run."
I also dearly love the music of U2. Bono Vox has an immense worldwide appeal which politicians can only dream of attaining. But I don't want him over here in America using his influence, gained by my purchase of his music, and milking my hard earned tax dollars from my own government to support his favorite charities. I think he should simply picket Larry Mullen, Jr., Adam Clayton or the Edge's house for their money to support his worthwhile causes. In fact, if he would only ask me I would contribute personally.
I remember Pink Floyd's song and album by the same title, "The Wall." It was the song that reminded us we were just becoming cogs in the machine and losing our own identity. It screamed out for original thought and action lest we became just another brick in the wall. Now we have our heroes from our youth telling us to just blend in surrender our freedoms to those on the left---who espouse more government and less freedom. My question to these rock star icons: Where did you get that stuff and just how much did you smoke?
Avoiding the "brick in the wall" mentality means we understand that our government does not exist so everyone will enjoy the fruits of somebody else's labor, but rather of our own labor. Government is not responsible for our success and we should not be dependent upon them---that is our individual responsibility. That does not mean we should not have compassion for those less fortunate around us. However, forced compassion does not create an environment that encourages citizens to better themselves.
America gave the world Rock-n-Roll. These musicians should know better than anyone else that our citizens will never yield to blind submissiveness or total obedience either to the obstinate zealots on the far right or the pretentious self-absorbed reactionaries on the far left. Ultimately Americans in both parties share a deep love of freedom and most simply wish to control their own destiny.
Advocating for less government then only makes sense. Keeping government out of our lives as much as possible would seem to be the ultimate freedom and something most musicians would embrace and champion on their way to the next city or town. If citizens were able to expand their business or keep more of their hard-earned money they could attend more concerts and enjoy more music.
We do not need a government that thinks for us, and we certainly do not need musicians telling us how to vote. Maybe we should have listened to more Alice Cooper growing up. Mr. Cooper can at least separate his role as an entertainer and that of his role as a citizen. He does not pretend to tell me how to think and I would never advise him what songs to sing. He is still a rebel after all these years. Keep on Rockin' Alice Cooper.
(J.C. Bowman is a public policy analyst who resides in Tallahassee, Florida. He can be reached by email at
flapolicy@yahoo.com
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Dear Mr. Bowman:
I am amazed and disheartened at your taste in music. I seem to recall that you have connections to an institution of higher learning. I would think you would espouse the music of Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, Handel, Mozart, and the great sacred oratorios. I would think you would share these with students or whomever else comes into your periphery. All that you suggested that you like strikes me as ephemeral and not worthy of anyone's time. There is much music of lighter quality, too, for dancing and singing that is truly beautiful-Stephen Foster, and Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and others. There are great gospel and country music and all kinds of beautiful, tender, and moving folk music. Furthermore, whether you like it or not, Bruce Springsteen, to whom I have never listened, is an American citizen and has a proud right to speak out on political matters, just as much as you do, and I daresay, your opinion of him and his likes will not affect him any more than you do me.
I guess I should not try to respond to your articles any more for I am finding them more and more ludicrous. I am sure you will appreciate not hearing from me again.
And further, you harangue about the government staying out of our lives but the Republicans are doing everything they can to intervene in lives of American citizens. They want to change the Constitution to forbid rights of gays. They want to forbid a woman's right to choose (which does not mean she wants an abortion or that anyone who is for women's rights supports abortion).
The government under Bush wants to affect our jobs, our money, our health, and everything else about our lives. They have even passed laws making it possible to see what books we are reading and where we spend our time. They also want the right to force people to remain in the military after their duty is up. They want the right to deny some people an education, and others the right to work a certain number of hours. They want to determine what is medically feasible as in stem cell research. They want the right to increase deductions on Medicare.
Your argument, as usual, doesn't hold water. On second thought, I don't think Republicans are as serious about some of these changes as they pretend. I think they talk a good game and then do nothing about it. I believe some of the far-right religious people are beginning to catch on and are becoming disillusioned.with the whole shebang when it comes to abortion and gay rights, prayer in schools, The Ten Commandments in courthouses, and other recently defeated conservative demands. The reason most of these demands of conservatives don't get anywhere is because they are unconstitutional. Shalom!
Mildred Perry Miller
Millermaj@aol.com
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Mildred:
You need to become more enlightened in regards to your musical taste. I am disappointed that you would pigeonhole someone and would not be more tolerant and open in your views of others. This includes music. By the way, I have a genuine eclectic musical taste and do enjoy Gospel, Country, Rock, Blues and Jazz. I never said that musicians are morons. That was the comment of Alice Cooper. But the issue I did raise is why should American listen to rock musicians on how to vote? Perhaps Willie Nelson could help you with your taxes as well.
You speak to me as you would a child and your responses both publicly and privately are often insulting and arrogant. I agree you should save your time and not bother responding since my editorials are so “ludicrous.” As you recall when you wrote to me: “I can see from your lack of understanding of my viewpoint, and your inability to fathom what I am saying.” I just happen to disagree with you. The last time I checked the Constitution that was still a legal option, and in fact slightly encouraged.
I do not mind you sharing scripture with me, but I certainly believe you twisted the scripture to suit your needs that you referenced and sent to me in regards to President Bush (Psalm 36:2). If he was responding he might direct you to Ecclesiastes 10:2.
Ms. Miller, you randomly select those verses that suit your need. Anybody with a Bible can do that---I challenge you to look deeper into the context and not to twist it for political purposes. In fact, for someone who opposes other’s use of the Word of God, I find it odd that would reference it to me.
Another musician you might you might not like is Irish singer Bob Geldof, who is also bluntly honest and embarks on causes rather than politicians. Last year he spoke to the London based Guardian: “You'll think I'm off my trolley when I say this, but the Bush administration is the most radical - in a positive sense - in its approach to Africa since Kennedy.” The neo-conservatives and religious rightwingers who surrounded President George Bush were proving unexpectedly receptive to appeals for help, he said. “You can get the weirdest politicians on your side.”
Geldof lauded the U.S. and Britain for supplying the bulk of the 1.15 million tons of food aid that has been pledged to Ethiopia to plug a food shortage that threatens 15 million people. Geldof was adamant that the European Union was the greater villain for delivering just a small fraction of Ethiopia's staple needs and refusing, unlike the US and Britain, to supply any supplementary foods, such as oil, which give a balanced diet. Geldof added: “The EU have been pathetic and appalling.” Australian-based Christian commentator and author added “As we abandon our religion – apparently an accelerating trend in much of the EU - we also lose the stories that sustain our culture. With no shared heritage, the end result can only be domination by the strongest. So praise God for two Christian leaders – George Bush and Tony Blair – who continue to live our story. And praise God too for that melancholy, profane, secular saint Bob Geldof, who spoke the truth.”
Ms. Miller, you erroneously lump all Republicans as advocates who wish to change the Constitution to target homosexuals. Nothing could be further from the truth. Along with many others, including many elected Republican leaders, I opposed that particular bill to open up the Constitution. But using your logic, why would abortion be an issue that the federal government should be involved in? You can’t have it both ways Ms. Miller, either marriage or abortion should be addressed by the federal government or they should stay out of it and leave it to the states. Most women that I know do not wish to be defined simply by what is between their legs. For women, the stakes in the next election are high: the safety and security of our families and homeland, the future of our nation’s economy, the health and education of our children and the path we take in a global war against terrorism.
As far as keeping government out of the lives of others, Republicans do a better job than Democrats generally. Libertarians do an even better job. So, am I now to assume Ms. Miller you will join the ranks of those of us advocating for limited government and individual responsibility? I am also glad to know you speak for people of faith, as well as conservatives. I would not be surprised if they would also speak for themselves.
The incredible response by the public to speeches by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Zell Miller and others made it hard to disguise that America responds to a muscular foreign policy backing unapologetic nationalism; economic policies of low taxation and light regulation; as well as to a libertarian inclination regarding cultural questions. I think President Bush clearly heard that message, and contrary to how some Democrats portray him, he is an astute politician and leader.
Ms. Miller, if you want civil discourse you must first be willing to start talking to people, not down to people. I welcome open and honest discussion of the issues. Unlike you, I do not have it all figured out. Despite your closing of Shalom you do not sincerely wish me peace. But I understand our Creator is a God of peace. Not only does God want us to be reconciled with Him, He would hope man would be reconciled with one another.
I offer you an olive branch. The issues that people face will be with us long after November. We can either talk these issues to death forever, like you seem inclined to want to do or we can start working together to solve them. The choice is yours. I know what action I will take.
Sincerely,
J. C. Bowman