Where’s Your Empire?

There have not been many people on either side of the political aisle who have not felt the level of discontent in the United States.  On the Left, we have those who feel that Trump’s removal from the white house would solve ALL of their problems.  On the Right, we have those who believe that a wall, a budget and a house-cleaning will do the trick.  Guess what?  They are all wrong.

Today’s news brings us this:

“In a shocking announcement Tuesday morning, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said it will not be prosecuting Jussie Smollett, who was previously accused of faking an anti-black, anti-gay hate crime in Chicago in order to drum up publicity for his role on the TV drama ‘Empire’.”

To start: I have tried my best to figure out how two black male brothers attacking Jussie Smollett would somehow be classified as a “hate” crime. It was then pointed out to me that the reason was Jussie’s accusation that his attackers were white and wearing MAGA caps. Now, I’m not sure if I just wasn’t paying close enough attention or if he never spoke out publicly about politics. Why, if the goal is to draw attention to himself to boost his value to the show and subsequently boost his salary did he choose this method?

And, is this outcome really that much of a shock?  I have lived my entire life being slapped with the realization that there are certain rules that apply to “certain” people and there are other rules that apply to those who are “connected.”  Life in the United States is one big game of disparate treatment.  It’s not about being guilty or not guilty; right or wrong.  Rather, it is common or privileged.

It is my opinion that this is the very core of why the idea of socialism appeals to some people.  Common people have been on the receiving end of unfair treatment for so very long they feel that this will somehow level the playing field – everyone will be treated the same.  No – they won’t.  Socialism just means that there are those in the general population who are being treated equally and the others who are “in charge” (or connected) who will be treated another.  What we need is not socialism.  What we need is a government by the people FOR the people.  America is supposed to be the land of opportunity…not the land of the entitled. 

Jussie Smollett did not do this as a publicity stunt.  I do not even believe he did this of his own accord.  This was an attention getting stunt for political weight.  And, by letting him off with no punishment what-so-ever, an injustice has been done to the rest of Americans who enter the judicial system and expect a fair shake.  Jussie Smollett got himself some grade A preferential treatment from the Chicago court system and I would like to know why!

Now he says he wants to get on with his life.  So what now Jussie?  We should all just drop it?  How dare you perpetrate this hoax on the American people.  How dare you use your fame to create this farce of an injustice and then tell everyone it’s over – leave me alone.  You flip a switch and get everyone’s attention and then decide you no longer want to participate in what you yourself created so you flip another switch to end it?  Really?  Well, the courts may have swayed in your favor because they were unduly influenced, but we the people are not buying what you are selling.

Where’s your Empire now?

The Roaring Ellie