The 1960's & 70's were trying times. It felt like a revolution was happening in this country on many fronts and people were speaking their minds - race relations, women's rights, labor, anti-war protests filled the streets and the front pages of the newspapers. There was conflict, radically opposing sides, violence, peace and perseverance. As a result many things transformed and we evolved as a nation. None of the issues concerning us then are perfectly resolved now but things are better, much better. Where are we today? This morning's New York Times lead with a headline "Protests Rise Around the Globe as Faith in the Vote Wanes." From Madrid to Libya people are showing their outrage over incompetent and oppressive government leadership and the growing international division between the haves & have-nots. Conditions everywhere - including here in the United States - are appalling for so many. In our country more than 46 million people have now slipped below the poverty line. Unemployment is over 9% and 48% of young people are without work. Many in the middle class have watched as their savings diminish, homes lose value, jobs disappear and future outlook seems grim. As baby boomers approach retirement our 401Ks continue to shrivel and our government threatens Social Security & Medicare benefits. Why aren't we out on the streets??? I think there is a sense of helplessness, a feeling that there is no way out. The 2008 election brought excitement, optimism, hopefulness - many of us thought things were going to change. But circumstances - a global economic downturn for one - put an end to that idea. As critical resources continue to funnel into the ongoing wars ( at a cost of 1,291 billion dollars and an estimated 250,000 lives to date) many in our own country suffer. On top of all the problems we face as a nation we are saddled with a dysfunctional government, and are living as a deeply polarized, fearful citizenship (fear fueled by endless misinformation coming from many sources including our political leaders). All of this has resulted in a sense of bitter dis-empowerment.
I hope we find our way back to the streets. Soon.
