These are not only current polls. Polls well back into the 1980's and perhaps beyond reflect an understanding that well-financed corporate interests have a far greater say in national policy than the American people have. Has it always been this way? Truthfully, I have no idea. What I do know is that we face an urgency in this country to restore power to the American people. Time is running out.
This is not an anti-capitalism rant. This is not an anti-business and anti-commerce rant. Regardless of what economic system is chosen, one essential truth is that power must rest with the American people or the selfish interests of corporate shareholders and corporate bosses will set the agenda. Our media has become dangerously centralized. Although it is true that forums such as this do provide an opportunity for each citizen to speak out, the steady diet of news and talk bought and paid for by the likes of GE and Disney and Clear Channel marginalizes any serious discourse and any serious possibility for change.
While the nation bleeds, our jobs are being "globalized." While our troops bleed, war after war is fought on the backs of the American poor while companies in Big Defense and Big Oil reap all-time record-high profits. Perhaps some accept the idea that wars like Iraq and Afghanistan are truly in the national interest; one thing's for sure though: there are people making some serious money from these wars. Why would they want to see them end?
Our treasury has been drained by irresponsible spending. We cannot afford to run indefinite budget deficits. While it is clear we should provide all the defense this country could possibly need, does it not weaken the country to spend more on defense than all the other countries of the world combined? If we pay for an infinite arsenal of weapons, does our fiscal weakness or our no-longer-competitive education system not become an achilles heel? Unbalanced, disproportionate defense spending has weakened the country; not strengthened it. A strong defense? Absolutely! Excessive, corporate-welfare "defense" spending? Absolutely not!
We get so caught up in all the political labels that we become distracted from the reality of exactly who holds most of the power. Perhaps it's become just a 60's cliche that we need to restore "power to the people." I don't subscribe to the idea that there is no difference between the two main political parties. But neither party is likely to diffuse the ticking time-bomb they've set. America's fiscal house has been brought dangerously close to the brink of collapse. Local cities and towns throughout the country have been starved and often cannot afford to fund even the most essential services. And global warming? Assuming you're not one of those in-denial whackos, this is a huge problem. The remedies proposed thus far are little more than band-aid solutions. Better miles per gallon and minimal use of marginal renewables by 2020 (the two key facets of the recent energy bill) will, after accounting for increased demand, have virtually no effect on the current levels of CO2 production. What we need, if you believe non-partisan groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists, are significant reductions in current levels. Industries like Big Auto and Big Oil will never stand for that. And so, the legislators we elect "reach a compromise" between the competing interests. We are facing a crisis and our political institutions can do little more than effect a watered-down compromise. Not good. Coastal cities will be at risk. Major food producing areas will be at risk from drought. Globally, some forecasts suggest hundreds of millions could die from starvation. Serious stuff. Those who control the levers of power will not do what is needed and those whose campaigns they support continue to do their bidding; not our bidding.
So what do I suggest? The truth is, it's not clear to me there are any short-term answers. Should we all go to Washington and tell our reps we want them to start acting in the national interest? Great idea but the current climate just won't support that. I'm afraid, although we would be best served by being proactive, that nothing will change until things get much worse. Either most of us believe we, the people, are powerless to reclaim our country or we just don't see the situation with the same urgency I do. As the country declines, and I believe it will, I believe more and more of us will awaken and more and more of us will demand change. Let's hope it's not too late when we do.
Keep the faith, friends. Way back in 1798, Thomas Jefferson wrote the following:
"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt. If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."
This July 4th, let's not allow our country to be blinded by all the beer and hotdogs and baseball games. This year, let's not march in meaningless parades and wave American flags only because it's a tradition. This year, let's remember that we, as citizens, are the rightful owners of this land and it's about time we started recognizing that, without revolution, i.e. revolution in deed and in thought, we will have squandered the opportunity to "win back the principles we have lost."
