Whaddya' Gonna' Do ?

In my initial post I spoke about the changes I've witnessed in my lifetime. About opportunities once available to Americans that are no longer there. And while I didn't go into depth about the incredible shrinking wage, the rising costs of education (and everything else), and the crippling debt we now must take on to make up the difference, it's only because we all know these things and discuss them regularly. We don't need another story telling us what's wrong. What we do need are some answers for how these things happened and why.

But with answers seemingly on the endangered species list, we are mostly resigned to a shrug and a "whaddya' gonna' do?". I suppose that's understandable. It seems it's always been this way, and always will be. Especially with the endless media blitzkrieg of fear and anxiety, and your basic car wreck. "It sells papers."

Likewise, we become increasingly discouraged when change rarely delivers what it promises. We are forced to go through the motions of electing our representatives based on minor and superficial differences (or purely emotional issues), and yet receive the same treatment from both parties, with little actual relief from our daily struggles. It's much the same with our employers (funny how they're so similar). Changing jobs will not help you to escape the "corporate culture" that now permeates every large company. And what we are left with is a society in which a choice of flavors no longer matters ..... they all taste the same.

Whaddya' gonna' do ? When someone says this to me, I realize it's meant more as an offhanded comment or perhaps just their helpless surrender to fate. And the acceptable response has become a shrug of your own. But some time ago I decided I'd had enough. To quote the immortal line from the movie Network: " I'm as mad as hell and I'm not gonna' take any more." So now when someone gives me the typical surrender and shrug, I reply very untypically with, "I know what I'm gonna' do. What are you gonna' do? " And when they ask me just what it is I plan to do, I move a little closer, look them squarely in the eyes, and tell them "Whatever it takes". And I guess that brings us to one of the purposes of this site.

It is a well-guarded secret that we are not as helpless as we've been led to believe. (A very convenient state-of-mind for those who like things just the way they are, and would prefer you just take what you're given, sit down, and shut up.) Informed citizens are anything but helpless. In fact, they tend to be very noisy. And they should be. That's what we call democracy.

Sounds like a lot of work. Something you have to study for and take a test that nets you a nice, frameable certificate to hang on your wall. And who's got the time? My brain's already full of things to remember. Paying the bills, saving those receipts for tax time; which store has better meats, which has better produce, which has better prices; checking the oil in the car, the fluids, the tire pressure, watching the odometer so you'll know when it's time to rotate; need to get the new plants in the ground, better mulch this year; new clothes for the kids, birthdays coming up; which pills to take on which days, what to avoid with which pill; need to lose some weight, need to start exercising ........ Who's got time to be an informed citizen? We've got maybe half-an-hour for the news. And even then you can't believe half of what you hear!

The demands we all have in our daily lives do seem to be increasing. It's no illusion. But, am I talking about a lot of work? Well, yes ..... and no. It's not so much the work that's required. It's more about consistency and getting into a habit. Already I'm losing some of you. But look at it this way ..... what if something you could do once a day, once a week, or once a month actually brought some change to your life, some relief? Perhaps not immediate, day-after-tomorrow change. But who's to say?

What it requires is not so much different from going to school or training, or an exercise routine, or taking your meds. We form habits, and we do it because there is a future favorable outcome for ourselves. Becoming an informed citizen is much the same. But, while becoming an informed citizen is the only thing that will ever bring real change for us, the first step is to simply become ... a citizen. And I mean more than just being born here.

Being a citizen requires citizenship. That means getting involved and getting in the habit of making your voice heard. It doesn't have to be every day, or even every week. Even once a month is plenty noisy enough for those who would rather not hear us. But you will begin to find out how painless it can actually be. It can even be very healthy for you if you've got a lot on your chest and can release it on those most responsible. (The number one cause of death in America is still stress, no matter what anyone says.) But most of all, it's damned important ... for your family, your kids, and your kids' kids.

In my next post, I'll discuss some of the ways (and give you some handy and painless tools) to help you improve your voice. And, as always ..... your comments are welcome. (Another way of being heard.) --JW