I just wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone to vote in this election. Early voting has already started in most places so you can avoid the crowds on zero day.
Remember that your vote is your voice so use it. You might not realize what you have until you no longer have it!
"A problem cannot be solved at the same level it was created" - Albert Einstein
Change.
It would seem that word will forever be etched into the world of political spin. The country has problems, we need change. The current administration is the cause of it all, we need change. Everything will be better with me because I understand that WE NEED CHANGE
And I agree, we do need change. But is that what we will get with either of the main presidential candidates. Both of these men, and indeed their respective running mates, are all product of the current system. Each of them, behind all the spin and baby kissing, has been a part of the problem. As Einstein once said, problems cannot be solved at the level that created them. So how can we expect change to come from these two candidates?
The kind of change that is need is not one that will come from a single election. Or one that will come fast and easy. There has been suggestions that we need to totally rethink the place of government in our everyday lives. Indeed some have suggested that we go with an EU style. This would seem to make sense on many levels as things already work very much in this way. Instead of having a cluster of countries, each with it's own system of government, we have a cluster of states. There is no one ruler. EU member states take turns at the leadership role. Because each member only has a short period of time in this role they are more likely to act with more thought.
Compare this to the current system we have in the US. You have one person at the top with the power to change everyones lives. An how many of those decisions made are done so by their own prejudice and to meet their own ends? How many are truly made by listening to the people?
Change must come and change will come. But it will only arrive through the blood sweat and tears of the American people and not from the shiny silver words of those who preach it's virtues.
Every know and then, while reading through the public forums of the local newspapers a letter will stand out. There can be many reasons for this. Quite often it is the utter mindless ignorance being spewed forth. But sometimes a letter will stand out for something different. It will stand out for being insightful. In this case it was a letter from a 12 year old. It was short and to the point but it said more than any other letter on the page.
The 12 year old pointed out something that it seems many people have missed or are simply ignoring. The endless logical fallacies we have had to endure during this presidential election. It is refreshing to see someone actually come out and say it, refreshing and yet slightly worrying. Why can a 12 year old see this when so many mature and registered voters can't?
It comes down to the constant assault we receive. We are so bombarded with the mudslinging from both sides of the camp that we lose perspective, lose our objectivity. As a culture we have stopped thinking critically and end up going where we are lead. The presidential debates have been nothing of the sort. Instead of having relevant discussions we get two people talking and yet saying nothing.
So is there hope for the older generation? The increase in voter registration would like to make me think so. Is there hope for the future? As long as we are raising our children to be able to think critically and see through the smoke and mirrors then the answer is a most definite yes.
From this one letter the future is looking just a little brighter today.
