Leaders or Followers?

Are we as a society leading or following? Why do we put so much time and effort into trying to follow the lives of "celebrities"and fifteen minute sensations? Does this fascination or these people really contribute positively to our society other than lining the pockets of their promoters? Analysts will say they provide us with an escapism from our problems. If we really need an escape from the problems then why don't we fix them?

We are a generous society willing to help out anyone in a time of need, take the outpouring of support we give any time a calamity hits anywhere in the world, the southeast Asia tsunami and Haitian victims. In the time of need for mankind we are able to get beyond the differences that daily seem to paralyze our society and come together for one cause. But focus back on the problems in America and we get all worked up. The left is right and the right is left. What about those of us that are caught in the middle? Where is our voice?

Has the political process in this country evolved into a contest of two big box store giants, starving out the small mom and pop stores on main street? Is bigger better? We have over 300 million people in this country and they are all individuals and each and everyone has a point of view. No matter how off the wall they might be, everyone by virtue of our constitution, is afforded the God given right to have that point of view and the right to express it without consequence. Yet how can the collection of view points be so casually distilled down to right or left? I know, I know, we can't have 300 million points of view, or nothing would get done. But even with just two points of view nothings getting done!

We have replaced good manufacturing jobs in this country with entertainment, politics and media. Quality has morphed into quantity. Riches are measured in dollars rather than life quality issues. The more we have the more we want. The more we want the more we need to have and so on. We are a country that believes in the future. Our forefathers brought forth a society that was predicated on the betterment of the state of mankind. But our belief in the future has become clouded in hoping that the paycheck an job will be there in the future to pay for those material things we feel are important.

We sit and listen to the talking heads pontificating how when this politician or that sneezes, how it is going to change the makeup of the nation. Are they really helping us? All the analysis seems to blur the subject. People in power, those persons we elect to represent us and advocate our points of views and desires never really gives straight answers. They can dance around a subject better than Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers can cut a rug. Once elected our representatives are focused on political life rather than the promoting our ideas and ideals.

We have developed a government that is so focused on power and the retention of it that individualism and true representation of the voters is secondary to the next election and the next and so on.

We are a nation of educated people who are innovative, adaptable and in my opinion second to none. So why can't we moxie up the where with all to stand up and let our elected officials know that business as usual is no longer acceptable. We don't need a hero or a superstar or a new messiah to guide us through the mess we're in. We need to start on common ground together. We need to bring our commonalities together for OUR betterment, not THEIRS! Term limits, if acceptable then so be it! Part time, citizen representatives rather than the career politicians. Have someone represent us. Someone who is one of US. Someone who can relate to the daily struggle to exist rather than flourish. Someone who is accessible to the guy next door. Someone who you can call up on the phone and speak your mind. Not someone who shows up the first time they"re running for office and then disappear into the woods after being elected. We as a people need to lead ourselves rather than follow the minstrel down the street.

Remember we should have a "Government of the People, By the People and FOR THE PEOPLE!