People and groups all over the country are asking for change. On extremes and in the middle, and even the apathetic often even say that things could be done better. The situations that have arisen with Enron, Haliburton, and other corporations are left cloudy and unsettled. The news covers it, and the public dismisses the reporting as biased. The government works to get to the bottom of the situation, but finds itself ill-equipped to find justice.
What actually happened? Was there justice? Do we believe it? Does it matter?
For the most part the actions of these events and others pass without day to day incident to us. We do wonder why things aren’t clear, and why the people we trust to lead our country and the world, can’t manage to deliver justice in a solid and resounding way.
We find ourselves in the middle of a war. This war is with a group of people that we put into power years ago. The country is divided on the validity and purpose of the war. Rumors, hostilities, and conspiricies are running unchecked while our soldiers continue to fight. It has come to a point where people are calling for a cessation of this war. That our plans have failed and we have over-extended ourselves. People are also saying that we have to see it through, that we cannot lose for everything and everyone that has been sacrificed. What were we winning?
The picture of the forces behind and at the forefront of this war are unclear to us as a people. We don’t trust the news to give us what we need as information. We don’t believe all of what our politicians say in regards to the situations either. We argue and fight while lives are at stake.
We have one of the lowest turnouts for voting in the world. Three times in history the votes of the public have not mattered. As recently as 2000 this happened. People feel disenchanted with their powers as citizens to influence the country through voting. Many people vote for the best fit of their ideals in a politician. Many people vote for who they are told to. Many people vote for who they think will win. Many many more don’t.
How many of us even know who our representatives are in government? They very men and women who make the decisions that run our country and rule the world pass their terms without much consideration on our part. Why don’t we take an interest? They are there and obligated to listen and represent us accurately aren’t they?
The country divides itself on issues like abortion, gay marriage, terrorism, church and state, and the war. We find debates and platforms focus around these topics and that leaders succeed or fail on these topics. We love the thought of our democracy, but allow that power that democracy defines, to exist in a select few.
Why don’t we as a people truly vote on issues that matter? Do we lack the technology to hold a vote nation-wide? Are we unable to become educated an issue and act responsibly on it? Are we happy with the best fit that we don’t actually elect to make those decions?
I would love to see a day in our country where a candidate isn’t chosen on their position on issues, but rather their willingness to serve their people in a way that allows everyone’s voice to be heard. I would love for a candidate to say that they simply don’t know enough economics to create a budget, but they’ll find the best minds in the world to help. That they don’t understand the situation internationally, and that historic and social experts will be brought in to help. I would love to see a candidate treat the world and all of its people as equals. Even the countries that have so little. That our future leaders will go to meet people, and not treat them as backwards people that need help and democracy, but as a culture and civilzation that is trying to find its legs in a world that left them behind.
I would love to see this candidate, and I would love to know that if the people of the country voted them into office or not, that those votes would be honored.
I would love to see a point in this country where we as a people don’t have to second guess our leaders fidelity to us as a people and to a greater sense of moral action. Where we can trust that the corporations and leaders in the government and capital society act goodly and properly toward the country and its peoples, and that justice won’t be hindered by bureaucracy.
I would love to see all the workers of the world feel that when 110% of them is demanded every day in their job, that the companies give 110% back to them. A day when every working person who carries the company on its back feels as though they do make an impact, and that their company appriciates them. Not as an employee, but as a person with a family, wants, desires, and concerns.
People are hesitant to change. They are quick to label change as bad, or unamerican. Nevertheless, everyone wants it, everyone seeks it. Everyone wants to see their country succeed, and love their people in return. The only labels that should ever matter are success and failure.