I have become way more engaged in civics, economic and social policy and what it means to govern. My own journey through financial downfall sparked my interest. Then I became a parent and that blew the door open to inequalities when it comes to healthcare, education, and housing. Once the door was open, I started asking more about banking, what about veteran’s affairs, (my dad served in Vietnam), Medicare for my parents, the climate crisis, equal rights, prison reform, addiction issues. It never stopped. Then we elected 45, and the circus around politics became more like a freak show and my interest evolved into full blown worry and fear. Today I have to consciously ask myself daily what can I do to not to contribute to the madness. How can I effectively make a difference in my home and community and the peoples lives around me. Whether it’s making a donation to a service that helps the community at large, or offering some of our own PPE to the person dealing with homelessness in this pandemic. There are small things we all can do to try and make it better for someone else.
The Framers are mentioned a lot when we talk about issues today. Men that laid the framework for our democracy. Self appointed men that drafted the constitution. They’re dead but always present in every modern debate and battle on how to move this nation forward. I feel it’s in our best interest to reframe the constitution to better serve our world, not the other way around. A document should NOT be held in higher regard than the people it was designed to serve and protect. Without the PEOPLE of this NATION, there is no constitution to uphold.
The framework of our landscape has definitely evolved into something that is hard to look at, but it’s there. Massive, overwhelming and painfully present in our daily lives. The ugly ooze of hate and bitterness is seeping out of every corner. We have old wounds that have never been treated or healed and the infection is deep. Cleaning the wound is one step, giving it time to heal is vital. (And no picking before its ready)
In the process of this election, we have some truths to face. Is this the story we want to tell? My feelings and opinions have no weight because they immediately take the conversation off course. I see the problem in America, and in most of the world, is that there is an extreme and violent regime that seeks to keep power from most people. The goal is to dis-empower most people.
Politics only set limitations to what we can achieve. A course correction in our connection to our planet should not be a partisan issue. We ALL should have access to healthy food, clean water and air. I’ve seen food deserts first hand, and when your diet consists of only processed foods at QSR’s, human beings suffer. Communities feel hopeless when they are forgotten. As people we are so detached from one another, and ourselves that we feel emboldened by ignoring the simple and effective ways to stop the spread of this virus.
How can we lay framework for a better life for everyone, not just a selected few? Solutions are created when we have everyone represented at the table. Just yesterday I became aware of a position in government called the PUBLIC ADVOCATE. My head exploded! I have been voting since 2000 and I have never heard of this important role that serves to hold government officials accountable. A PUBLIC ADVOCATE in every district, county, state and federal branch is the election we all need to be focused on. Giving all the power to one group was something the Framers were clear about wanting to abstain from in a democratic system. Imagine a tough, non side choosing badass HMFIC elected to PUBLIC ADVOCATE that had the authority to check elected public servants who were not doing their job.
Who ‘gon check me boo? Me, the PUBLIC ADVOCATE, that’s who!!!
The change starts with us, in our homes. Then the roots grow into our communities. How we nurture these systems will branch out in all levels of leadership . That trickle down bullshit is one of the ideas that needs to be REFRAMED. There is so much attention on the federal level and really its the state and local governments that have the most impact on our lives. If there was more balance and accountability, we might be in a very different position in the world today.
People say Progressive like its bad. Progressive Insurance is popular and creative with their ads, people love it and they save you money, but add that word to politics and it becomes a threat. The existence of the planet can only claim one constant and that is change. Not listening is the biggest threat to our world. I love this quote by Maya Angelou, she said “When people tell you who they are, BELIEVE THEM.” Do we want to be a country that prides itself on selfishness or selflessness? The masters of spin can always twist the perception of the public so I urge you to listen to MOTHER NATURE, if not ,then our ignorance will be the final curtain on life as we want to know it.
MOTHER NATURE don’t play, and when you don’t LISTEN, you gotta FEEL.