these truths

Experience has shown us that we are more willing to suffer, while troubles are endurable, than to set things right by dismantling our accustomed arrangement.* 

We endure the limited choice of two ruling parties, both of which are well intended, but they fight like angry children, and often do as much harm as good.  Their approval rating is at 8%, suggesting we'd prefer almost anything else.

We endure the untruths of political power holders as though it were the expected norm.  The lives of our young men and women are poured out on the altar of the long lamented military-industrial temple.  We protest and endure. 

We endure the promises not kept, the exaggeration of authority, the intrusion of rule into our personal lives and resources.  None are easily endured, but we manage.

Having been promised liberty and equality, and rule by the consent of the governed, we face inequality and rule by the wealthy and influential.  We see the marginalized and disenfranchised among us, those who are left behind while a chosen few bask in extraordinary privilege.

We began as a beacon for the world of democracy and noble purpose.  We stood for right in the face of tyranny, and we were respected for it.  Our reputation has fallen among the nations and at home, however.  No longer America the just and fair, no longer the place of brotherhood and great heart, now we're just the rich and selfish, or at least that's our reputation.  Read the Congressional Report.  We've made too many choices for economic advantage rather than justice.

So we continue to endure for a season in hope of change, of moral and ethical clarity and return to what is right and good for our citizenry and our purpose among the nations.

Seasons change, though.  It's happened before.

*... all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 

    ~ from the U.S. Declaration of Independence 

Meanwhile, our options available in order of impact include:

• Personal life choices; be the person you hope your children will emulate.  Pray for strength and clarity to do so.  
• Community choices; be involved in the good part.
• Humanity choices; find the need and lend a hand.  Study and discover what helps; it's not as easy as you might think.  
• Political choices; understand the process and its foundation.  Write your congressional representatives.  You may have to pretend you're part of a mega-corp to get their attention, though.  :)

Change-makers and help-bringers have more fun, and they live in the real world!
They get to leave knowing they've done their part well.