Introductory Article

The purpose for creating this blog was to promote discussions concerning issues that are (or at least should be) of extreme importance to citizens of the US and, potentially, other interested parties around the globe, as many of these issues encompass a sphere of influence well beyond our borders. Ideally, these articles will spur thinking and dialogues resulting in exchanges of useful ideas that will lead to real solutions to at least some, if not all, of the issues that plague us today.

While a single individual cannot change the world, it has been repeatedly proven that even a small group of motivated people can provide the foundation from which the potential for real evolution becomes possible. This great country was constructed on the backs of such individuals: immigrants originating from nations across the globe, who were willing to throw caution to the wind, take great risks with their very lives, and summon the resolve and determination to create a better life in the “new land.” This is the true spirit of America: pioneering, innovative, visionary, dynamic. The greatest documents in the history of the world are those from which our democracy arose: the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, drafted by a small group of insightful people, these documents spurred the evolution of civilization through the liberty, and the resulting responsibility, of each individual citizen of the nation.

Which brings us to the political, economical, and societal issues that plague us today and continue to erode our liberty. While we place blame for these issues on various parties (elected officials, Wall Street bankers, and mega-corporations, to name just a few), in actuality, we have no party to blame but ourselves. With liberty comes responsibility, and, by and large, we have shirked that responsibility and abdicated the throne that is rightfully ours as guaranteed in the founding documents of our nation. We have become complacent, leaving a leadership void that is rightfully ours, and/or complicit, contributing to these problems through direct and/or indirect action (or inaction). We have failed to provide the guidance necessary for a desired change in course-direction and thus have encouraged continuation along the current path. A democracy is unsustainable without the active participation of its constituents, and, if dissatisfied with the current state of affairs, the constituents can only rectify the situation by accepting blame and re-assuming the mantle of responsibility for the nation.

In the coming weeks (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending upon response), I will post articles surrounding a single issue and seek input from readers on methods for solving that issue. If we’re not part of the potential solution, we remain part of the existing problem. So let’s take this on, not as blue-state-Americans or as red-state-Americans, but simply as Americans. United we succeed; divided we fail. Failure is NOT an option!!

We got this!!