REGRET VERSUS GUIILT

While guilt and regret are often seen as synonyms, they differ.  Guilt implies a wrongdoing or crime, committing an offense.  Regret simply implies that one would not choose the same course of action were the opportunity for it to be done or said again.

There are cultural implications to one feeling guilt or regret.  Jewish mothers, in anecdote, use forcing a feeling of guilt on their offspring as a manipulation for control.  The implications are that the child has done a wrong and is therefore a child lacking in goodness.  Greek mothers are said to treat their offspring differently, letting their children know they are disappointed that such a good child could have done such a naughty thing.  If you can imagine, growing up with this difference in parental handling has a very different result to the child's sense of self as an adult.  Guilt sees one growing up with an entrenched lack of self-worth in many areas.  Regret is more apt to result in over-confidence that one's actions are to be tolerated and forgiveness automatic.  Neither is ultimately a replacement for conversations about consequences to a child's actions, and when not discussed by parents does sincere injury to the adult who has not been taught to reflect on inevitable consequences to all behaviors.

Feeling is much more apt to allow one insomnia.  I tell people, "I don't do guilt".  When I lay my head on my pillow at night I usually feel neither guilt nor serious regret.  Even if I am not proud of all my words or actions, I know none were said or done with malice or intent to damage, 

THE LAST DELAY FOR TOM DELAY

Corruption has been so rife in the Republican party but, assisted so heavily by the 'Rush Limbaughs' and radio and media support, the public has been fooled for years,. and continues today.  Mr. DeLay, known as 'the Hammer' for his power tactics and strong arming, indicted in 2006, has consistently denied wrongdoing but it had been clear for a very long time that he held power and his ethics and consideration for honesty were flawed.  While he was forced to step down as Speaker, he managed to get publicity (and money) by being on  Dancing with the Stars.  It was DeLay's misfortunes that opened the path for John Boehner to become the next Republican Speaker.

An article published in Austen, Texas, by James C McKinley, Jr. reads:  "Tom DeLay, one of the most powerful and divisive Republican lawmakers ever to come out of Texas, was convicted Wednesday of money-laundering charges in a state trial, five years after his indictment here forced him to resign as majority leader in the House of Representatives."  He was indicted for violating campaign finance laws.  His power as Speaker of the House was massive.  He restructured districts to help his party win seats.

Today's finding of guilty raised hope in me that finally not all lies were believed nor those in disagreement powerless to react against them.  I've too often wondered why the Obama administration is seeming so absent in decrying the lies against the Democrats.  I can only hope there is a master plan somewhere and those bumper sticker that read 'I Voted for Obama - My Bad' will be torn off all vehicles.  People are expecting too much from a human being who has Republicans opposing everything he suggests and needs to make most Americans' lives improve.  McConnell runs a tight ship.  One can only hope that
Americans who voted for so many untried Republicans will come to their senses by the next election and reverse the damage.  Dare I hope that our country will leave the grips of those multi-billionaires who have seized control of it?