Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine

Posted on | February 3, 2008 | Comments Off on Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine

The politics of rhetoric

Over the past few months as campaigns have saturated the media, it’s occurred to me that the rhetoric of politics – whether from the halls of Congress or from candidates from whatever hue or political persuasion — has taken on a new tone.

There’s a pervasive sense of assigning blame for everything that happens to us; and empty promises to punish the blamed, and fix whatever has wronged us. It’s made me think…

Last fall we attended a benefit concert for the local free clinics here in Hendersonville, our getaway place in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. We were entertained by a Swiss group, The Kruger Brothers, who now call the mountains of North Carolina home. One of the songs they performed — an old gospel number — keeps coming back into my head as I listen to this empty rhetoric. The title: “Ain’t Nobody’s Fault but Mine.” What a crazy idea? But, in fact, most things that happen, to quote the line from The Kruger Brothers’ song, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.”

If I were to continue to smoke, to ignore the evidence that is now accepted by the world of medicine that tobacco kills, and should I then develop lung cancer or have a heart attack, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” If I am unfortunate enough to spill hot coffee in my lap and I am burned because the coffee was….well, hot!… “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine!” If I were to be dumb enough to drink until I slobber, and then get into my car to drive, and have an accident that causes much pain and suffering, “Aint’t nobody’s fault but mine!” If I was so greedy that I signed for a mortgage that was much, much bigger than I could afford, and now it’s time to “pay the piper,” “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine.” And if I am numb enough to listen to the rhetoric of blame and promises to fix all that ails us….well, “Ain’t nobody’s fault but mine!”

Wouldn’t it be refreshing to hear someone in that arena say, “Folks, the only way things are going to change is if we take personal responsibility for making them change. I can only take responsibility for me and mine. You have to stand up and take responsibility for yours. Because whatever you may do that is good, you earned it. And whatever befalls you that is bad, you probably earned that as well. And I can’t fix it for you, but I can do what’s right!”

Probably never happen. Oh, well….ain’t nobody’s fault but mine!

(Michael Fleming, MD, is a family physician from Shreveport, LA and former president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He can be reached at [email protected]. Opinions expressed by Health Commentary guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the views of Health Commentary.)