I will apologize in advance for this blog. It's more of a train of thought with little or no organization than a regular blog, but I needed to get thoughts out of my head and on to paper....or at least into a server. In truth, I shouldn't even hit the publish key for this one...just the save as draft. But unless I know I will publish it, I won't write it. Don't ask why, my brain just works that way.
I just finished watching "Who Killed The Electric Car" and talked to a friend about it. We talked about changing the world, and she mentioned that I should know how to do it since I went to grad school. But I don't, I don't even know where to start. During the past day or so, I have been thinking a lot about how to change this world, or at least this country. There's no question in my mind that it needs to be done. Although I hate to do this, my brother has a great view on some of the stuff that is going on, due to the fact that he is not currently living in our country and can see the effects of our policies on other counties. We all know what he says to be true, however, he is experiencing it first hand (go to loesan dot net and look for Professor Habib and apartheid in America, the second blog down ... the link isn't work for some reason.).
I've always thought that it should be our government that changed the world. Maybe it's my naiveté, the way I was raised, or knowledge about our forefathers and their ideals, but I have always imagined the government to be the great mover and shaker. Despite my calls for always questioning the government, I do believe that there are times when our government may do things that we disagree with, initially at least, but are the best policies for the country. Usually they back their policies with good reasons, data, and explanations, not secrecy. For example, universal health care would definitely meet with a lot of resistance, but with a good plan and ten years for people to adjust, I think most people would end up being in favor of it. There are probably many examples of strong leadership in government picking an unpopular policy and going with it, despite objections from the people. That's what happened in Canada and getting rid of the death penalty, the people didn't want it but the government implemented the ban anyway (and, btw, the murder rate has not increased).
Of course, in essence, this is what is currently going on. Our government is taking strong stances. But not ones based on data, facts and information, but on gut reactions, instincts, and (dare I say it) greed and avarice. That's why we need to call them on their actions and question their motives. Not necessarily because we disagree with what they are doing, but because they lie, steal, and cheat. Because what they do makes no sense for 99% of the country. Because they have no care for the future. Because they hide their true motives in secrecy, doubt, and fear. Because they use terr 0 rism as a mask to cover the true nature of their actions. Because they label anyone that disagrees with them un-American, and as trait 0rs and terr 0 rists. Because they use scare tactics to keep us in line. Because their religion is more important then the truth.
What is needed to make the government work, to change the world, are intelligent people, who think and are unafraid to say the truth. Who look to see what will benefit the majority of the people and not their small group of friends (my goodness, if that isn't a public health perspective, than I don't know what is). We need people who have the power to make the changes that need to be done.
But is this possible? Are we able to get people in to office that have the ability to make changes? Is our government set up so if we have the people to make changes, they can. With the fighting and bickering going on now, I feel as if it can't possible happen. Even with the democrats in office (whom, in some ways are no better, than Republicans), things are not getting done. I've read in many places that our system of government is set up to maintain the status quo, it's hard to make major changes, and I do believe that. Making any major change to health, social security, environmental standards, etc. are going to be a bear, but the need to be done.
So what can we do? Do we run for government offices? But people in office seem to be able to do little. They are also beholden to lobbyists, money, power, etc. With what it takes to get in office, who knows what ideals, motives, and intents have been lost?
Do we call people and try to change their mind on issues so that they agree with us? How many people think this will actually work? Who wants to be called and who wants that person to try to convince them that they are wrong?
Do we march and protest against polices that we disagree with?
Do we send well-written letters to our congressmen and congresswomen explaining our views with good data and facts?
Do we stand on street corners with signs that say, honk if you don't like our president?
Do we hope that if we get the data and information out to the people, they will see what is going on in the world and want to change it? But why have things changed after the release of "An Inconvenient truth", "Who killed the electric Car", "Fahrenheit 911" and the other dozens of documentaries that have been released?
Do we join a non-profit or a grassroots organization to fight for what we believe in? If we do this, how do we fight - making phone calls, writing letters, and protesting? Do these things work?
Do we hope to get a job in government so that one-day we can be in a position of power (non-elected, thank you very much) so that we can hopefully make changes?
Do you have children and raise them with the ability to think for themselves, with idea that with good people around, the world can never get all that bad, and they will make it better?
Do we post rants on our blogs in hope that once these ideas are out of our heads we can forget this problems and can go swing dancing and sew costumes (and also practice our writing skills, which are in desperate need of fine tuning)?
How do you change the world?
