Having Our Cake

In the midst of global pandemic, it is interesting to try to zoom out and see society as a whole.  It seems the Western world, and Americans in particular, is quite accustomed to having our cake and eating it, too.  We've a system based on ingenuity and hard work in which we are taught that hard work can (and often does) equal success. 

I know my own way of life is deeply entrenched in this ideology.  I'd been having a challenging school year - one in which I'd reached many points at which I had to admit that no amount of hard work and loss of sleep would fix the problems I was facing.  This was brand new for me.  And uncomfortable.  Most days I found I couldn't even FIND the cake, let alone keep it or eat it.

It's been preparing me for this.  This world in which the leaders of governments have to choose.  We can have human life.  Or we can have a thriving economy.  I'm growing incredibly pessimistic about any carefully balanced options that allow for both.  I can write a pretty convincing essay in support of either direction (although I have to stay unhealthily detached to argue against human life).  I don't for one second envy those whose names will go down in history as having made the wrong choice.  Because there is no right choice to make here, and everyone stands to be condemned.

I keep waiting for a leader to emerge.  One that will say, "For better or worse, here's the plan."  One that will accept responsibility for its consequences.  My biggest fear right now is that with so many cooks in the kitchen, we're accidentally fumbling the cake all over the place and all we'll be left with is crumbs.