NO PUBLIC BLOWBACK ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FAILURE TO REPRESENT AVERAGE AMERICANS. NO DEMOCRACY. NO AMERICA. By Stan Cotton America? A nation run by corporations? It's possible, even likely, and totally if apathy continues to proliferate. Apathy is the root of America's evils. Men, women and children lack basic awareness, concern and a desire for action, opting instead to be passive, immobile and submissive robots. In a world that fires sensory stimuli at blast-FAX speed, citizens remain unmoved and unmotivated, the silent, indifferent victims of an all-encompassing, head-in-the-sand mentality. We have become a nation of observers, a country where the one-eyed Cyclops of entertainment " television is king." And in the world where TV reigns supreme, passivity has become a way of life. Solid, creative thinking is frowned upon and stepping up for noble causes is pointless. Apathy doesn't recognize political parties or social inclinations. Passivity equally afflicts Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, Libertarian or Tea Party members. Like entertainment, politics has become a passive endeavor. Somebody calls you; you write a check or email a donation to somebody running for something. Maybe you know him or her, maybe you don't. It doesn't really matter. Even presidential politics has become a run for the ratings. Political conventions and debates are all show and no substance. In America, life has become a spectator sport. People browse in bookstores, but don't read. They look at newspaper headlines, but ignore the fine print. They exist on bytes of sound and mini-glimpses of the world sliced up and served by CNN, MSNBC, MTV and other corporate acronyms. While they?re getting their daily fix of Starbucks and chomping low-carb breakfast bars in their SUVs, the outside world surrealistically disconnected from their existence -- is aflame with war, raging with hate and hunger and crying out for justice. Apathy has become America's new rule. But what has it done to us? We are still subject to a political system rife with pork barreling, backroom deals and self-aggrandizing schemes, lacking any real desire to improve the lot of citizens. Once open to the ideas of hopeful citizens, Washington has become isolated and off-limits literally and figuratively locked behind walls and security checkpoints designed to keep out terrorists as easily as they keep out citizens with needs that must be heard. Apathy has also thrown up a wall between citizens and their government leaders. Behind that wall, politicians have forgotten their constitutional oath of service of, by and for the people.
| While citizens dozed, lawmakers found out that it's easier to control others than to stand up for principals. Those in charge do more to make sure the underlings don't make waves than to draft legislation to help them. Continuing the status quo gives citizens a false sense of stability and security. Dumbing-down through complacency? It's become a tried-and-true governing formula, one that works from the floor of Congress to the Oval Office. And what will be the legacy of this out-of-touch presidential administration? A multi-trillion dollar deficit pulled from the ashes of a half-trillion dollar surplus along with higher taxes, fewer educational opportunities and a health care system in ruin. Our children and grandchildren face the tragic prospect of paying for their parents? sins and omissions while they, themselves, watch the quality of their lives crumble under the weight of a burden they don't deserve. The public is getting clobbered by special interests. The streets are havens for punks, drug dealers and gangs. The air is unfit to breathe, and terrorism thrives both in threats and in reality. And all the while, America is plummeting on the worldwide Respect Meter. Tragically, after all this has taken place, we cannot say with surety that our children will be safer in this world gone mad. The solution to the nation's future problems lies in our past in the recognition that our forefathers didn't think twice before protesting the abuse of despots. They threw tea into Boston Harbor, fought back after the Boston Massacre and battled the Redcoats to ensure the freedom of the 13 Colonies and eventually, the United States of America. The masses may not be ready to revolt. But they have a weapon handed down from the founding fathers that is just as powerful the right to vote. Make your ballot work for you. It's your life. It's your country. And it's your future. If we don't vote, there will be no democracy. And without a democracy, there will be no America. And with no America, what will be left? Corporations like mini-nations existing in their own fiefdoms. We must fight for our heritage and renew the spirit of the nation builders. Instead of throwing tea into the harbor, let's start dumping politicians. Skip the president and senators. They cost too much and harder to get rid of. It's easier to go for representatives, whose terms turn over every two years. If you turn your back on the electoral process, how can you expect to see any positive changes in your nation? It's pure and simple. If you don't vote, your opinions will never be heard particularly by those who can bring about change. Channel your energies into a motion for renewal. Turn apathy into action.
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