Make That Change

The United States of America can do better.

We can do better than Donald Trump. We can do better than Joe Biden.

We can do better than Schumer and better than McConnell. We can do better than McCarthy and Pelosi.

We can do better than any Clinton and any Bush.

There are better people. Better choices. It's time for these people to stand up and be counted. To rise up.

People of integrity who can lead by example. Certainly not perfect - obviously such a person can't exist. But people who truly want to serve, to unify and to make the country better. To continue to establish "a more perfect union" in service of the United States of America - and not to have their country serve them.
Why should there be any reason to ignore the serious character flaws of one candidate or the other? Again, there are no perfect people, but we do not have to settle for mediocrity - or worse. That's what we have been given in this country for years - for far too long. We have been settling for less than what we are worth. Why do we continue to do this?

This record of mediocrity in "leaders" has led us to be divided - the easiest course for mediocrity to obtain and keep power. Those in charge do not care about anyone other than their own personal sphere and the power they have. Spewing certain platitudes on platforms make us feel good about them, as we accept these as evidence that they must want what is best for us. But what they want is for us to hate each other. Fight with each other. Argue with each other.

In 1796, George Washington, who watched 2 members of his cabinet form the first two major political parties in the country - and the associated rancor and division it caused, almost prophetically stated, "However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

I do not accept that political parties have to exist. I do, however, wonder if our fellow-citizens, after so long laboring under the idea that they are necessary, will be able to accept a paradigm without them. If that is the case, it should be regulated that no fewer than 4 robust, truly functioning parties representing more nuanced thought and diversity of opinions may exist.

We have too long been controlled by the fringes who keep us divided through corporate news media, as well as through social media.

The major parties of today fear sincere, honest engagement. They fear individual thought. These are ingredients to a recipe that removes their power. They fear the idea that people with different ideas and opinions might be able to respect one another. Listen to one another. Coexist in peace.

Let's say goodbye to the two-party system. It is broken and it is breaking our country. Let us not allow that to happen.

I am willing to concede that many may view these thoughts as overly naive. However, I think the majority of our country still wants dialogue. They want discourse. They want to listen and they want to be heard.

Our government is meant to be "of the people, by the people and for the people." Let us stand up a make it so. We have the power - if we will take it. My only hope is that after this year's elections, it isn't too late. We are stuck with whatever becomes of 2020 and we will need to make the best of the outcome. But let's not waste another election cycle. The work to change it needs to begin now.

We do not have to start completely from scratch. The framework whereon we can build already exists. It has existed for over 200 years. Put aside who the founding fathers did or did not intend to include in their ideals of government, it doesn't invalidate those ideals. They are for everyone.

Though some may be inclined to scoff at the original author of the following words, it is self-evident that all human beings are created equal, endowed by the "Creator with certain unalienable Rights, including Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." And the purpose of governments, whose just powers should only derive "from the consent of the governed," is "to secure these rights."

This means we talk to each other and we listen to each other. We don't resort to violence against each other - neither our persons nor our property. Look for the best ideas among all citizens, irrespective of our wealth, standing or appearance. When looking for those best ideas, we must be open to all - not limiting to only one sex, one social class, or one color of skin. The best ideas run independent of each of those traits - and, in reality, are best achieved when diversity of each are involved.

Regardless of mistakes in our country's past, I still believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world and has the best capacity for greatness. The principles of freedom and liberty enshrined in the Constitution have fostered an environment for some of the world's greatest technological, scientific, and economic advancements over the past 200 years.

Let's get started. Who will rise up? Who will stand up and be counted?

I'm in.