If we put our trust in the common sense of common men and 'with malice toward none and charity for all' go forward on the great adventure of making political, economic and social democracy a practical reality, we shall not fail. -Henry A. Wallace
We have been called the land of opportunity. A shining city on a hill. The greatest country in the world. And all of us who live in this great nation, despite our differences, share a set of common values.
That all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights—among them Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government…
These, of course, are the opening lines from the Declaration of Independence, ratified unanimously on July 4, 1776 by the thirteen United States of America. It was these words, coupled with the actions of our forefathers that brought about the eventual end of colonialism, and ushered in the era of modern democracy, though the transition was not an easy one.
Our nation has seen hardship before. Indeed, far more hardship than we are seeing today. And yet, in every instance, from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to the Great Depression, the American Spirit has prevailed. Yes, we are facing a variety of complex challenges, but they pale in comparison to the challenges of the past, and they are nothing we cannot overcome.
Exactly how we got ourselves into the mess we currently find ourselves in is a subject that could no doubt fill entire libraries, but the greater concern is how we’re going to get ourselves out—and the first step here is an open, honest conversation. Unfortunately, our increased political polarization, and the media’s tendency to sensationalize everything and boil it down to talking points that cannot begin to cover the complexity of the issues we are dealing with have left us talking at each other rather than to each other—creating divisions that only serve to perpetuate the status quo.
This can easily be evidenced in the initial statements many reporters and pundits were making of the Occupy demonstrators, complaining about a lack of clear message, and saying things like, “What do they want?” In reality however, it was not surprising that there wasn’t a single, clear message, or an immediate list of demands. This was the people expressing their most fundamental democratic rights—to peaceably assemble and petition their government for a redress of grievances—affirming each others’ sense that the government and the economy are no longer working for the vast majority, and going through their own democratic process, which is necessarily messy, especially in its early stages.
If anyone who asked that question had thought about it for even a brief second however, they would have realized that what the demonstrators most fundamentally want could be deduced from their mere presence. They’re angry, upset, frustrated, and even outraged, and they do not feel like anyone is listening. They want to be heard. They want a conversation.
There were also those who were saying, “They’re mad at the wrong people…they should be protesting in Washington.” And it’s true…at least in part—Washington certainly deserves a share of the blame, but the big banks were largely responsible for the financial collapse of 2008, and have escaped with relatively few negative consequences while the rest of America continues to suffer.
Regardless of what we think about the cause of the problem or how to fix it, we should at least agree that there is a problem—a complex, multilayered problem that involves our financial system and our government, as well as our health, education, and other social systems, and our environment. And we should also agree to work together for the greater good, because whether we call ourselves Democrats or Republicans, Liberals or Conservatives, Evangelicals or Atheists, at the end of the day we are all Americans, and we all really want the same things. A roof over our heads and food on our table. A sense of safety and security. The ability to see a doctor when we’re sick. To spend quality time with our loved ones. A better life for our children.
Most of us would rather not be bothered with government, and none of us want it intruding into our private lives or becoming an unnecessary burden. And while we can have a reasonable discussion on what We The People deem the government should provide, and what is best left to private enterprise, it is telling that the main grievances of this movement are so similar to the grievances that resulted in the formation of the Tea Party—an economic system on the brink of collapse, and a dysfunctional government that caters more to special interests than it does the will of the people.
Really, it’s all about how we frame the conversation. It’s not about being anti-capitalist or anti-free market—it’s about being anti-corruption and for equal opportunity. And it’s not about larger government or smaller government—it’s about smarter, more effective, and more efficient government. But most of all, it’s about the undue influence of money in politics, and about striving for a more just and equitable society.
The way we talk about these things makes a difference, which is why when I hear someone like Ron Paul say something like, “We need to get the government off our backs,” I have to stop and say wait a minute, WE ARE the government...or at least we’re supposed to be.
So let’s not yell or argue, instead let’s work together to find reasonable, practical solutions to enact positive change in our society. And that means all of us. 100%. Because we’re all Americans, and we’re all in this together.
Frank Lee Speaking is a Concerned Citizen and Sr. Political Polemicist at Slurve Magazine