The year is 2016. Things I have achieved this year: Typing without looking at the keyboard. Donating to a political candidate. Annoying my facebook friends with a slew of annoyingly candid (and well researched) political posts. I also have decided that I will join the political revolution by running for office.
You may have noticed a theme among these achievements. I think many of us have experienced similar themes during this particular political cycle, and that there are probably two easy explanations; Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, marking the first time in our collective memory (having spoken to many baby boomers I can say this with relative confidence) where good and evil have been so clearly personified.
Many of you are thinking about another evil right about now, and I will get to that, but starters I want to highlight a couple of cornerstones in my worldview that will (I hope) unify my purpose in embarking on this project. I hope to be upvoted often, naturally. This will show me that friends and strangers alike are appreciate my worldview and that will reinforce my own belief that I can make a meaningful difference in the future of our world community. That brings me to my next theme, communalism. In the future, the world will be a very different place, free of harmful boundaries, segregation, limitations, and strife, but for now, we need to focus on opening up our collective consciousness, and that means joining the political environment as a voice for progressive values and openness. To achieve this, we need to capitalize on social interconnectedness and drop the facade of party lines and political branding because we are all one.
One of my big awakenings recently has not been corruption and disparity, because that has always been around. Instead, I have not only noticed, but started to really pay attention to the words "follow the money", and follow it I have. Love of money is the root of all evil, and over the last couple of years, I have slowly come to the realization that the institution of money (the monetary system) is inherently flawed, and invariably susceptible to corruption (in the many forms it takes), exploitation, and inequity. I also believe in survival of the fittest, but whilst might over right is no longer an acceptable truth in civilized society, neither should be the indisputable fact that our lives are ultimately governed by the 1%; those largely sociopathic and uniquely equipped to use their superior intellect and raw ambition to beat the system and financially enslave those below them. Some also got there by luck. In the words of Théoden, son of Thengel: "What can men do against such reckless hate?" Without going into detail (which I will of course do later) we need to take down the banking and finance industry. To attack the banks, we will all move our money to local banks and through good old fashioned fiscal responsibility, pay off our debt. To attack the financial industry, every family in the country will responsibly invest at least some money in the stock market, thus leveling the playing field, and helping shape the biggest industries and companies in our world.
Lastly (and I put this last for a reason) I want to use this forum as a way to build on the progressive conversation and keep up on current events throughout the world and how they influence and are influenced by policy. Holding office means being well versed in policy, the legislative, executive, and judicial processes, and act accordingly to move the world in a positive direction. This is where I welcome discussion, and like my typing achievement which currently involves more backspaces than words, will be a process of learning and expanding influence.