CHANGE


Our government is set up in such a way that change is difficult. Maybe our founding fathers had the insight to visualize a Hitler, Stalin or Hussein but regardless, change does not happen easily.

I look at the children in this country that live in poverty and do without and I feel so helpless to do the right thing and yet the people with power like the Angelina Jolies and Brad Pitts of the world take their compassion to other nations.

As Americans we complain. It is our right. I am sure the same complaints can be heard around the country. We complain about our health care system and the high cost of our health insurance. Schools are another hot topic. Today’s school children are in crisis. Kids are dealing with things my generation could never have imagined. They come to school hungry or maybe even suffering through the loss of a parent whether it is from divorce, death or even jail. There are gangs in our schools, teachers that no long care, an ever increasing dropout rate, and the thought of a disgruntled student bringing a gun to school is no longer just a concern but a real possibility. And, don't get me started on the economy, the jobless rate and the fact that government spending is out of control.

What has happened to us as a nation? These are issues that concern us all and yet we do nothing. Nothing, that is, but complain.

At times all of this is overwhelming. I hate injustice and I hate seeing the meek taken advantage of. This pertains especially to those that have no voice like the poor, the elderly, and children. Can you imagine what would happen if we stood up and said, “No, enough is enough”? Collectively our numbers are staggering and our power unimaginable.

Change does happen. It took one pissed-off mom to start M.A.D.D., Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. It was one woman who lost her child to unthinkable circumstances that started AmberAlerts. This is legislation that has been adopted nationwide and that has been instrumental in helping save countless lost and abducted children. An elementary age boy in Florida brought about change while doing a school project involving the poor and homeless. He found that restaurants, because of health department regulations, were prohibited from giving any of their unused food to shelters. At the end of the night, each restaurant was throwing away all of their unused, uneaten food. This one child changed the Florida laws and made it possible for restaurants to distribute this food to the needy.

These stories feed my consciousness and make me believe in the power of one, the power that each of us can make a difference. But where do you start? It just all seems overwhelming. So, right now, like all the other millions of Americans that so desperately want a better America, I will continue to sit here with my remote and effect the only change that seems within reach; the channel.

THE GREAT COMPROMISE


The article entitled “Team Work” posted to the blog “JENNASA 18 ON POLITICS” points out how close the race is between Obama and Clinton and then asks the question that has probably been asked by a lot of us. Couldn’t they just work together? Why couldn’t one of them be President while the other one takes the seat as Vice-president?

In theory, this would be great, but I tend to have my doubts as to whether we will actually see that happen. Certain professions demand personality traits and ego is high on the list when you run for President. You are out there in front of millions stating that you have what it takes to run the country. You are so good that the majority of the nation is going to put a check mark next to your name at the voting booth. I can’t see that ego taking a back seat.

Suppose the candidates did declare that they were going to be running mates, how would that work? Who would take the back seat? There is a picture that keeps running through my mind. I keep seeing Hillary Clinton in the role of “Mom”. As President or Vice-President, she is shaking her finger at Barack Obama, second-guessing every decision. It’s a no-win situation for Obama.

I hope Jennasa 18 is right and that we see a meeting of the minds. We are lacking the spirit of cooperation and communication for which both candidates stand. It would be great for our country. We could call it the Great Compromise, version 2.0. I’m not going to hold my breath. My experience has contributed to the fact that I am very jaded and often cynical. I would be among the first to embrace a Clinton/Obama (Obama/Clinton?) ticket I look back longingly at the time when I would have believed it possible.