A Hope for the Second Revolution

Hello friends and welcome to my first blog.

Let me begin by informing you all with a little information about myself. I am an American and would like to live no where else in the world. I am a born again atheist who has recently adopted the ideals of secular humanism. I was also once a libertarian, but recent academic readings and intellectual thought have prompted me to realize that we must aim for a society that is truly better than the one we live in now. That is what I want these blogs to be about. I want discussion on ideas on how we can change the world into a better place. That sounds cheesy and cliche, but we must strive for something better. Or else history will just repeat itself, and right now it is.

The United States of America is currently the most powerful and influential country in the world. Its citizens pride themselves on their 'ideals' and 'principles'. Yet, how many of those principles are actually real in our day to day lives?

Democracy. We love our sense of democracy, human rights, reason, and justice. Is this country really a democracy? Who has more of a say to your congressman or senator, you or someone with who controls more money or influence? I for one do not think that any of my representatives on any level of government would care to earnestly hear what I, a tax paying voter, has to say on any matter.

Well why not just elect someone who would? Well I would do that if there was not a two party system. The two parties that are so deeply inbedded in our culture a considerable amount of people think that if you do not vote Republican or Democrat you are throwing your vote away. What a contradiction to our principles of democracy!

Corporations, lobbysts, and other powerful and influential people have far more say in what goes on in our law making systems. That is true for any level of government.

We are also so pitted against one another in this vat of hypocrisy. Those who have jobs and a stable income typically show intolerance for those who utilize government welfare programs and vice versa. Both are different cultures against one another. Both sides have legitmate arguments and niether will dissipate.

Social justice is along the same lines. The minorities feel that they are oppressed by the majority. I, being a WHM (white heterosexual male), will be the first to tell you that I know very very few people like myself who 'oppress' minorities. I used to make the argument that I am oppressed and stripped of social rights due to reverse racism, which is socially injust. Both sides again have valid points.

Why are we so pitted against one another? Why do we cling to these opiating ideas of 'justice' and politcally charged patriotism and dogmatic religous morals that create more and more diversity, which in turn makes each group feel more and more alone. All the while, those with wealth and influence still reap the rewards of the so called democracy.

I have spoken with several peers of mine and they all seem complacently aware that this is true. I have sympathy for their complacency, why should we need a change? Life is good here. One can live comfortably. But that is not enough! Call me an idealist but there is some change needed. There was a great victory for hope and change won with the election of Obama this year, but what else can be done to further these ideals of true liberty and justice?

What are such things? Do they exist? How can we bring them about here in this country?

I see America turning into an imperialistic giant. It will inevitably be overthrown. Yet, I do not want America to be destroyed. I want it to be the beacon of hope for the rest of the world. How can we change America from within withou destroying it?

How can the second American revolution be brought about? We need to discuss and think and act. Perhaps we will fail and we probably will, but I feel as though that even by talking about it we can keep the hope alive.