The Matrix

Some people actually hated the Matrix Trilogy. It was too deep they say. Too confusing. Stupid even. But there was one message (out of many) that should have resonated for anyone who understood what was going on: life has to balance. There is no good without evil, no dark without light, no sun without rain. This principle is true for just about everything--society as a whole, our individual lives, economics, you name it.

Yesterday I took the day off to volunteer my time with my Chicago White Sox. The site was Warren Phillips High School on the south side. 90% of the students live below the federal poverty line. 25% of them are considered "homeless." And I'm willing to bet $10 based on those aforementioned facts that the following is also true: many of them come from single family homes with no male influence, if any adult direction at all. While at the school volunteering, I witnessed several students essentially wasting their time at school. Yes they were in the facility, but they weren't in class. Instead they were roaming the halls and chillin in the stairwells. Admittedly this was appalling and annoying. But then it hit me like the scent of marijuana in the boys bathroom--knuckle heads are a necessary part of humanity's equation.

Everyone contributes to society in some way. Criminals, CEOs, entrepreneurs, illegal immigrants--all of them are necessary for our society to function. Without criminals there would be no need for police or jails, prosecutors or public defenders, or sheriffs. The criminal justice system employs a lot of people. Without illegal immigrants, some businesses couldn't function because Americans sure as hell don't want the jobs (or the low wages) some of these immigrants are willing to do. Without poor people Capitalism collapses. If everyone was middle class and educated, (or even upper class and uneducated) who would work at McDonald's? Wal-Mart? Who would be cashiers, baggers, stock people, news paper peddlers, servers, cooks or janitors?

The natural inclination for the educated liberal in all of us (even those of us who swear we don't give a damn about humanity) is to try and "fix" this. But it works just fine. Ancient civilizations realized the need for balance long ago, yet now that we are "enlightened" we want to mess with it. Allow me to dust off my Republican hat for a second: if we are truly a capitalist society, government shouldn't do anything to help the poor. Yeah I said it. Which explains why Republicans seemingly work hard to keep the rich rich and the poor poor. They are trying to ensure balance. Unfortunately the past racist politics of our country tend to discriminate as to which people get to be rich and which get to stay poor, but that's another topic for another blog. The point is, despite our best efforts to "save" people, help the poor, reach out to "at risk youth"--we need drop outs, drug addicts, idiots, douche bags, and whores just like we need people to follow the status quo. Otherwise society falls apart.

Does this mean we shouldn't help our fellow humans? Not at all. I certainly advocate service to others. The point is in giving service to others, recognize everyone will not be saved. Some circumstances may change and when they do, enjoy it. If not don't get frustrated. Understand that both you and the person you're helping are doing your part to balance the equation.

The meanest, prettiest, and baddest mo-fo low-down around this town,

SHO-NUFF