Agreeably I take a long time between posts. I often think long and hard, looking at all sides before I form an opinion. I have now come to this conclusion about the state of our country. As a nation, I believe we are strong and our individualism is intact, however, the fundamental basics of our society have become skewed to a point of breaking.
I say this with hesitancy as I would expect many readers to stop here, but, I implore you to read on.
We have unemployment that is improving on the spreadsheets but do not consider the people who have just given up.
We have a health care program that, by nature of our constitution, is only mildly viable in the states that choose to take advantage of it and in other states it is irrelevant.
We have soldiers returning from active duty that either choose not to receive counseling or cannot receive it and we have the majority of the country living in an untenable, day to day, week to week fear that just one small failure can drive them to bankruptcy or homelessness.
These are all things that,when proper thought is given, are well known facts, but, what we have not achieved is answers to these ailments of our nation. Here lies the body of my thoughts.
In the preceding paragraphs I repeatedly used the word we, and there is good reason. It is entirely likely if you are reading this post you fall into one or more of the groups mentioned. So what to do?
There is no quick fix to what ails the United States, but, there is a cure. Dialogue between parties and understanding. Additionally one more thing that carries more weight than the preceding two, compassion.
Currently we have a Congress in a never ending wrestling match that inevitably ends up as a draw, over and over again. That does not create progress nor does it allow the legislative body to achieve its constitutional goal of legislating. The cost of this lack of progress has a majority of the country paying a heavy price.
Austerity thinking, as little as has occurred here, has brought about many unforeseen and certainly unwanted results. Crime rates of the theft variety are increasing, children are going hungry and receiving sub-par education, the elderly and infirm suffer for lack of medicine and medical care and the extremely wealthy enjoy tax breaks and conspicuous consumption, a phrase used in the first gilded age that was the fore bearer to the end of it.
What to do one might ask, to alleviate these issues? The act of change is simple. It requires little work for some and a lot of work for others and for the people who it requires much work, it is our responsibility to aid them in the simplest of acts. Vote.
It is easy to say it won’t help. They are all crooks and owned, and largely that sentiment would be close to the mark, however there are good, honest and decent people who run for office and do not have the backing of rich donors or great name recognition. Ordinary people who want to see positive changes and are willing to fight for their constituents.
I do not mean to fight in a way to insure jobs projects in their states or districts,but, rather jobs and projects for all states and all people. Men and women who are willing to demand pharmaceutical companies do not over charge for needed medications, oil companies do not get subsidies and the list goes on.
Our country is at a moment in time where it is akin to a tinder box and a mere spark could start a fire that could ruin the nation for decades, if not complete destruction. The people who can prevent this are the ordinary people.
If we, as a nation, can put political ideology and religious ideology aside, even just for a while, we can become what we once were, the leader of the world and a beacon of freedom and prosperity. If we continue the path we are on we will become what we are becoming, a very large island of a few wealthy people and roughly 310 million servants.
The choice is ultimately up to the individual.
joelmerritz 