2016 Postmortem
Showing Original Post only (View all)The Impossible [View all]
Far to often power and money control our outcomes. Millionaires and billionaires weld unprecedented influence over the halls of Congress. Money giving access that the majority of us could never get. Corporations have amazing influence over what we watch, hear, eat and know. The income inequality in our country and our world is stark. Every person, save one, running for the office of President of the United States is a millionaire. Some even billionaires. Millions of dollars are being pumped into this election cycle to control the outcome. The many are truly at the mercy of the few.
Competing against such a force would make even the best of us second guess ourselves.
2016 is different though. It is less about money. It is less about political power. While we are so much better than we were 8 years ago we still have so much further to go. Far to many are not where they should be. Far to many were left behind. If only we had someone that could bring that into focus. A muse to our writer. To help us throw away the script and rewrite it. Where would they find that?
It is possible that we have found what we need in a loud, ruffled, white-haired man from Vermont. Not rich. Not powerful. Not perfect. On a mission to make a difference.
Far to many were searching for a voice to give life to their frustration. To take a stand. That our society can longer tolerate the massive transfer of wealth, going to so few, to the detriment of so many. That is the vile, beating, black heart of the issue. The disparity of wealth creates a disparity of influence. We lack the ability to shape the outcomes that benefit ourselves as equally as they do the very wealthy. As that control slips further from our grasp, we loss faith in ourselves and the institutions we trusted to make the differences we need. We lose faith in ourselves. We doubt our ability to make things better. That is where we are now. We have such damaged views of our government, our financial industries and corporations and divide ourselves along such stark contrasted lines. We need a better way forward.
Sometimes all it takes is one voice. One voice to speak for those that feel they have lost their voice.
Someone to say we are sick. Healthcare, for women and men, is a right, not a privilege.
Someone to say We are poor. Education free of financial burden and fair pay is a right, not a privilege.
Someone to say our planet is damaged. Clean water, clean air and a stable climate are a right, not a privilege.
Someone to say that we are a people of many colors, many beliefs, sexual orientations and from many nations. Equal and fair treatment for all is a right, not a privilege.
These are not new or novel concepts. The ideals of a happy, healthy, educated and equal people were the seeds planted by our Founding Fathers from the very beginning. They were flawed men. They formed an imperfect union. But they aspired to so much more. That was their true genius. Their ability to see what we could become. Unafraid to forge ahead to achieve that future against an opponent that could not be beat. We were built on that hope, that need, for a better tomorrow. No matter the odds. Despite the naysayers. We, as a nation, are at our very best when faced with an impossible task.
That impossible task is laid out before us. Our nation is in need. We have a voice for our cause. This is not a task for a single person though. He has taken up the mantle but we need to take this journey right beside him. The outcome is in our hands, not Bernie Sanders.
Vote for Bernie Sanders.
Get Bernie Sanders to the White House.
Advocate for the ideals that matter to you, the reason you voted for Bernie Sanders.
Work to make those ideals a reality.