Politics, Change, and YOU--Where do you stand?

The political landscape is changing by the minute in America but one thing remains steady and growing: the endless cycles of blaming, complaining and name-calling. As a parent, if I saw children on the playground behaving as our politicians do in the media, I would be deeply disappointed and would address the behavior as unacceptable. The media acts so concerned about the growing crisis of bullying in America -- yet in later segments on the same shows and stations they give valuable air time to political leaders and talk show hosts who name call, insult and verbally attack those they disagree with. For some reason, when our political leaders show a lack of patience, cooperation or shared accountability, we call them "champions." Regardless of your political leanings or label if you take a deep breath and face the facts, no business or family would survive with the kind of "in-fighting," insulting and disrespect that we are getting far too use to.

So here are two ideas to consider.

1. If you really want to understand what is going on in politics, don't read popular media. Do some research and find websites, journals and newspapers that present educated, informed, unbiased reviews of the facts and factors. Don't feed the TV or web media outlets that are busy trying to hook you in like a soap opera while selling you cars and tooth whitener on the side -- turn that stuff off!
2. If there are topics in the political area that you are really interested in, such as education, healthcare, military spending, the economy or the environment, don't spend too much time talking about it and feeding on the same old story of change and change the change -- roll up your sleeves and get involved in making a difference in your community. Most of the causes we wait for politicians to change can be influenced locally by volunteers, thought leaders and involved citizens. Everyone has something to give; blaming and complaining only gives a headache.

Are you are part of the solution, or part of the problem?

 

Follow Jonathan Ellerby on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JonathanEllerby

Comments

[BoyInBOYCOTT]

08:12 PM on 11/20/2010

option number three
 
You can be so tired of Americans worried about unemployment, and losing their homes that they buy the foulest ugliest forms of scapegoating of Pro-CHOICE women, Blacks, Latinos, LGBTs, Unions, and Muslims....and it wins landslide seats in one legislative branch, and you head to the STREETS, and you are well trained, and well armed for what comes NEXT.

[AaronHughes]

09:13 AM on 11/20/2010

At risk of being a bobble-head, I couldn't agree more.
To be the most informed individuals we can be we must abandon the mass media outlets and put some time and effort into learning. This is where we lose the 'gotta-have-it-now' and the 'just-show-it-to-me-in-tv-bites' portions of society. Until we impress upon the general public that there is more going on than just their lives and get them to expand their perspective, our ideal of an educated population can never be realized.
What is step one? Who can say. I will take a step by sharing your blog. Maybe someone will read it.

[changling]

08:50 AM on 11/20/2010

Thanks to our politicians we are pretty close to doomed. We have no privacy when there are computers with cameras in your home, cameras in the sky, on your phone and on your streets. You are now groped at the airport, your banking is online for anyone to tap into and the next step is that your new baby may be micro chipped before it is allowed to leave the hospital. Most (still not all) politicians are bought and paid for. Top all this off with a small group of greedy, egomaniacal, ruthless people trying to take control of all of our natural resources (water, food, mineral/land rights etc) and their banking friends gobbling up all of our money and gambling with it. What do we have left to say? I'm still waiting for a miracle that may never come. Politicians and their friends have ruined America and our status in the world (George Jr.). We are seen as a spoiled country that was taken over by a bunch of crazy people (Republicans, Corporatists, and their operatives). Just look up the causes that the Republicans are fighting for. They are not working for all Americans they are working for the richest people and companies. Their causes are not fought with honesty, integrity and humanity but with a fierce taste for war dollars, control, and power. When we should be fighting against these people for our own best interests, most Americans have rolled over and played dead.

[BoyInBOYCOTT]

08:59 PM on 11/20/2010

micro-chipping babies...the second biggest challenge facing America....after the faux DEATH PANELS.
 
THIS is exactly why reasonable people need to be trained and armed, because half the population believes absolute idiotic RUBBISH, and no facts are capable of dissuading them.
Saw this in a movie of Germany in the thirties, catchy little tune TOMORROW BELONGS TO ME

[ThePeoplesKey]

07:43 AM on 11/20/2010

The problem is: Those that are part of the solution have read and agree with your article. Those that aren't (The vast majority) will never know you wrote it. If you're writing to the latter audience, you're using the wrong medium to reach them. Try advertising on Access Hollywood . . .