Let's End the Cynicism

Troy Davis, an innocent man, is killed by the justice system in George; John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives can essentially say the only people that deserve help from the government are the rich; our country remains engaged in two wasteful wars in the Middle East and countless other battles abroad; it is not only popular but necessary for our politicians to say they do not agree with the Global Climate Change consensus among scientists; Politicians by and large would rather seek the backing of corporations than directly attract popular vote in order to get elected...

The list goes on. All of these things are happening now.

And as I browse forums and discussion boards I see the same attitude everywhere.

We talk about this being the age of cynicism. I once heard that our generation's one tool is our cynical form of satire. I see it as a result and culmination of popular media.

It was brought upon by TV shows and movies that suggested problems in America are solved swiftly and in fantastic ways. It was brought upon by jaded world views developed from the supposed domination of the world by the US after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was brought upon by our parents who had jobs and could pay for things. It was brought upon by our false misunderstanding as children that the world was perfect and we need not worry. When we found out we were wrong, we could not comprehend the course we must take to solve these problems.

In fact, if you are reading this you are already of the small number of our generation, or other generations, of America that figured out something needed to be done. You read this because you agree or maybe you think cynicism towards politics and the world around us is a good thing.

What I am trying to do is change peoples' minds about the world and about our country. I'd like to be able to put some very key ideas into the mind of the average person:

• We can get out of Government what we want, but it is going to take work.
• Politics is not defined by the debates. It is about the system, the process and the laws that come from it. Therefore, politics do matter.
• Civic engagement is fulfilling.
• Knowing who is supposed to be representing you is a key element of belonging to your city.
• Understanding politics is not futile.
• All people deserve the ability to participate in politics.