Everyone I know is disgusted with things that are going on in the US right now. OK, maybe not everyone - but everyone tuned into politics and the economy... I personally think about it way too much. There are so many things that make me angry or that I just can't comprehend. It has gone far beyond a difference of opinion or different values - it has become intolerable. The most frustrating part is that many of us just don't know what to do. So, I turn to what I know - writing things down.
It makes things happen at work, right? We make to-do lists, assign action items, discuss solutions to problems, write procedures that people follow... and we make changes to improve our company. Can't we make this work for the US too?
There are lots of philosophies and opinions that I don't agree with, but many I can at least understand. As our country continues down this path of polarized opposites, extreme views, my way or the highway... I find my list of things that I just cannot understand, growing by the day.
Partly as a cathartic exercise and partly to get a conversation going - here is my list (in no particular order) of things that I simply cannot understand and I truly wish we, as Americans, could do something to change.
-The religious right having such an influence in our political system (what happened to separation of church and state?) Please - I am all for religion and freedom of expression, but don't be pushing your beliefs on me or my political leadership.
-Greed/power ahead of anything or anyone else. Among the great people of the US are a number of people who live by the mantra "look out for #1" at all costs. I wouldn't really care so much if that greed did not affect my financial situation or push our country to the brink financially - but it has.
-Money's influence on elections, policy and law in the US. The funding of candidates by corporations and large organizations, million dollar campaigns, billions spent lobbying,... We are out of control and it is time we at least admit it.
-Negative campaign ads. Can anyone tell us what they believe and what they will do? People move up in polls by pushing down their opponents - when did this become the status quo? When did Americans decide to respond more to this type of advertising?
-The overreaction tick that has become America. Everything bad that happens needs a law to 'prevent' it from happening again. Do we ever consider education over legislation? Or, better yet... wait for it... holding people personally responsible?
-People who cannot afford things but somehow feel they deserve to buy it anyway. (I think the recession has been addressing this problem.)
-I never got the whole Black Friday thing - but moving it into Thursday baffles me. The 'extreming' of America continues. What if no one showed up? Probably not going to happen. Face it, many more Americans will probably be working on Thanksgiving next year.
-Wall Street protests. I get the concept, but don't protesters usually have demands or a list of things that they want someone to do or change so that they can end their protest? Just telling everyone they hate rich people in the financial sector doesn't seem like it is going to do much.
There are so many things we need to get done. In the spirit getting things done, here are a few ideas:
-Vote for anyone who is not an incumbent. Send the message that this is a job for the people and everyone is expected to work the entire time - not spend the last half of their term campaigning for re-election.
-Whatever your beliefs, support the fundamental concept that we can't always get what we want (I feel a song coming on!). We all have to get on the bandwagon of give and take. Don't support politicians who sign pledges to NEVER do something or tout a rigid stance on negotiating or the 'branding' of their party. There are values and then there are policies. Let's reward strong values but push for policies that benefit the country as a whole.
On second thought, I would support a politician who signed a pledge to never be corrupt or never cheat on their spouse... Unfortunately, those pledges don't seem to be in the cards.
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