It's time for the American people to take back their
government and restore this nation's democracy. In the America of today we have
a government and a political system which is tightly controlled by corporate
money and power.
This government is so thoroughly controlled by special interest campaign funding, so inept and dysfunctional, that it needs to be completely overhauled. Unfortunately there are few if any individuals in it or outside of it that have any desire or capacity to even begin the process. And the few that believe that this must be done do not possess the means by which to take on these powerful, seemingly invincible corporate entities.
The only way that such a transformational process could ever get off the ground is if leaders step forward who can ignite the currently dormant power of the American people. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are such leaders who have called for a political revolution fueled by the power of the people. But while these two leaders have the best of intentions they are not enough; they need others who share their beliefs to join them in the effort.
The time for such a revolution is now, it can't wait. But while that may be a great idea and one that would have a great potential to turn this country in a new and different direction, that's easier said than done. The question is exactly how Americans can be motivated to join such an ambitious revolutionary movement when, in most elections, many more stay at home than show up to vote?
There are three key steps that would have to be taken to accomplish the objective of restoring a government of, by and for the people and, along with it, our democracy which is on life support. Here are those steps:
*Most important, those strong leaders must emerge and there is no doubt but that Sanders and Warren are the precursors and will play an important role in the development of this movement. They are, indeed, tapping into the anger and frustration that a large majority of the people feel; they see a government, quite possibility the most incompetent in this nation's history, that refuses to follow the will of the people.
*Secondly the people, when they hear this call for a revolution, must respond by getting off the sidelines and into the fray. They need to come out to vote in droves or nothing will change. They need to be encouraged by these new leaders to identify those politicians in Washington who are working for corporate interests, who are addicted to corporate campaign contributions, and who refuse to do what is right for this country and its citizens. Their names must be spread across America to make them prime targets to be sent home packing, replaced in future elections with honest, ethical public servants.
*The fresh new wave of competent individuals entering Congress would, hopefully, possess a totally different mindset from their predecessors and work together diligently to develop and put into effect new, comprehensive campaign finance reforms which would ban all corporate contributions in elections and also establish effective controls on individuals' contributions. Some form of public/government funding of elections should also be studied.
The signs could not be more clear that the mass of the American people, those who are very angry and troubled about what is happening in and to this country, are ready to respond if those like Sanders and Warren can reach them with a new, exciting message inspiring hope for change.
Sanders is doing that so far as he talks about the most important issues and problems facing this country. Here are some of the issues that he stresses as he fills stadiums with those eager to hear message:
*Inequity of wealth and income.
*Lack of jobs and the need to create millions of new ones.
*Our lifeless, stagnant economy.
*Corporate control of our government.
*A vast, bloated military empire, endless war and a foreign policy that no longer works; actually Sanders does not talk about this issue as strongly as he should and he needs to stress it to a much greater extent.
Americans want these important issues addressed but that can never happen as long as the pathetic politicians that infest this government are allowed to retain their cushy jobs. Those who wield the power in this current government represent an anchor around America's neck, suffocating and stifling its creativity and the advancement of important initiatives. It's a government with no vision, no concrete plans for the future.
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