I am an optimistic American with ideas about our "perfect union's" ability to govern for the "general welfare", a rare species of homo sapiens who looks beyond our current state of affairs to a thriving future. Now, I'd like to tell you that this cesspool of a world we've inherited is going to get better if we continue escaping through social media, gaming or our latest Netflix find, but it seems just as likely I'll spend the bulk of my evening snuggled up to a Wookie. We're over-worked, underemployed, undereducated, malnourished and the world around us seems to owe itself more than it actually has. Unfortunately, the leaders making what may be the most critical decisions of our lifetime seem hellbent on undermining the country's real problems. In fact, they seem to have abandoned all reason to a political circus that agrees on very little and solves even less. But I believe the turning point for our country lies not with a Congressional body in Washington, but the powerful government put in place through the Constitution of the United States: We, the People.
Our Constitution was written by some of the most revolutionary thinkers of their day, establishing a country they believed would "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity." But today's American is trapped in a daily struggle to pay for food and decent housing, to send their children to college, retire comfortably, and conquer their debt. Education no longer guarantees employment. Employment no longer signifies security. Retirement seems always in the unforeseeable future. My own generation is facing continued dependence on their parents' support, debt without employment, and an overwhelming fear that the country we inherit will be unrecognizable from the one our founding fathers strived to gift us. But we are not a generation without hope. We have the ability within ourselves to return to our founding principles and make this country the democracy it was meant to be, a country where every hard working individual can make a home for their family while still having time with their family, a country where education, empathetic debate, and social responsibility thrive. But we can no longer be bystanders on the stage of history. At a time when Congressional approval ratings are at record lows, it seems clear that what the country needs is not represented in that stagnant body of elected officials. Big changes never come without a movement from the People. We need to be forward-thinking, cooperative, and vocal. More importantly, we need to start asking ourselves what we, as Americans, truly value.
Thought is our most powerful and self-defining ability, an ability Rene Descartes used to reaffirm his very existence in what would become one of history's most famous utterances, cogito ergo sum. I think; therefore I am. Through thought, humanity's ability to create seems limitless and even the most challenging crises of our time can be solved. Unfortunately, the reality of our world's neck-breaking pace has left most of us demoralized and listless, and thought itself seems to be pushed to the back burner. Frankly, we're just too damn tired.
Of late we have fallen prey to what John Locke dubbed the "weakness to be deceived with contradictions dressed up in a popular style". We've been ushered into a reality where the problems are deemed too complicated for our own humble abilities and we're told not to question, but follow the leadership of a group of individuals who so clearly do not empathize with the American's everyday plight. We continue this way because we lack both the time and energy to challenge it, but challenge it we must. We are, at our core, a fierce and revolutionary people capable of great compassion and great change. We are at our best when inspired to create; at our core, we want to leave our footprint, be admired, make a difference. But we must start by reevaluating what our country values and making whatever changes necessary to stand by those values in the future. It is easy to be complacent and continue to put a political band-aid on out-of-control problems. We're told optimists can only hope to be jaded or fooled, but I say bowing to what some see as inevitable is cowardly. I am daily enheartened by those around the world brave enough to stand up for their beliefs, for innovative and peaceful change. So now, I question.
I question a world that doesn't examine before it acts, a world of ever-increasing consumers and ever-decreasing resources. I question a world that in years of historically high harvests allows millions to starve while food rots on shelves and in storage. I question a world whose economy owes itself more money than it possesses. I question a world where the richest are not held accountable for causing the world's financial ruin while 47% of Americans live on under $25,000 a year, yet are still told the social programs they often rely on to survive - and have in some cases paid directly into - will be cut to pay for the mistakes of others. And I question a world whose powers waste their scientific genius and financial resources on creating destruction and deception when the world would flourish if those same assets were used to create and educate.
On September 17th, Americans from around the country plan to converge on Wall Street in a movement that has been referred to as "Occupy Wall Street", "U.S. Day of Rage", and - more critically - our own "London Riot". While skepticism abounds over motives and origins, what is clear is that the People are restless. We no longer feel we are masters of our own fate. Unfortunately, such events are only portrayed by the media in their extremes, completely overlooking the voices of those who find their present circumstances dire enough to overturn their entire lives in an attempt to be heard. Those voices need to be heard, and the truth of their convictions given a platform. My own passion for writing - idealistic and green as it may be - I am gifting to these voices. I will be trekking cross-country with my own tent and outdated ink-pen to interview these people and try to convey to anyone willing to listen their true convictions and motivations. I will stay as long as I can afford to and as long as the People will have me. I only hope that my own voice will contribute in any small way to the uplifting of our great country, and a way back to our "perfect union".
Further reading:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
https://occupywallst.org/
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