A Quiet Revolution

I have been reading about the founding of the United States, and about some of the founding fathers in an attempt to find out where things went awry. As one author said the founding fathers were in an enviable position, even those with no aristocratic background had a chance at the formation of the new government. It is probably the first and most likely last time in our history where a person from a humble background, or at least one viewed as humble by British standards would have a true place in the formation and running of our Republic. Talent was the key to success, those with wisdom and the ability to communicate their ideas had the best chance of rising in the newly born government.

I believe that along the way the United States has developed its own aristocracy, a political class made up of the wealthy few. True some possess a talent for governing and leading, most depend on family fortunes and their place in society for their position – no longer can one of the lower or middle classes rise to any prominence in the government. Precious few make it past city councils, if they even have a chance at that. The countless millions thrown at the presidential race prove that point, and in accepting this money a representative is now owned by those donors, vice the public.

We are about to elect a president, and despite the rhetoric on how the candidate will change things, he or she in fact is only one person and must still answer to the system of checks and balances. Unfortunately the deck can be stacked, a Supreme Court dominated by conservatives, the amount of power the executive office has gathered for itself since Truman, and a house and senate dominated by one party negates these checks and balances to the detriment of all.

What is needed is a quiet revolution where those possessing the wisdom necessary, whatever their class, slowly integrate themselves into the government. Money plays a big role. It will be tough to buck the banking industry, big oil, big coal, and other special interests. If it wasn’t so tough we’d already have an American made Hydrogen car on the road, production of which would put thousands back to work and our power would be coming from renewable resources – instead the hunt for more fossil fuels continues unabated.

The best course is to arm yourself with knowledge. Turn off the TV and start becoming engaged in the governmental process. This goes for citizens in every country. Even small change affected by an educated populace is a large victory in the revolution. Taking the government back from the CEOs and special interest groups and restoration of individual liberties remains a paramount goal for this revolution.