Finding ourselves

We think we have an identity crisis in the USA right now, largely due to the over-amplified volume of "Conservative" pundits and groups. They carry behind them money from some of the wealthiest Americans like the Koch Brothers, The Devoses, the Scaifes and others who have fought a propaganda war for 70 years, to convince the American people to uphold law that preserves their fortunes (low taxes, slow moving or stopping environmental, safety and regulation legislation, laws that support the politicians they manage to buy) swing the perceived center to the right and to convince Americans that the majority feel this way.

But the reality is, in almost every independent survey, and when we allow ourselves to meet on common ground, we come away with a large majority of us on the same page and it really isn't for the things the propaganda continues to pound away at.

Even on divisive issues like abortion rights, 7 out of 10 Americans believe that legal abortion should be available in some cases.

Nobody believes Flint Michigan shouldn't have clean water. Nobody wants to see extinction of species or our rivers and oceans polluted.
89% of Americans - including gun owners believe the mentally ill should be prevented from purchasing guns. 77% of gun owners and 87% of non owners believe that the gun show loophole should be closed. We vary some more on other parts of this issue.

Independent survey after survey puts the center position much farther to the left than is touted by conservative politicians and media. 

So why do we end up with legislators trying to outlaw abortion completely, why does Flint still poison their people, does environmental regulation get pushed aside, why does the gun show loophole still exist and why was the ban on the mentally ill owning guns pulled back? How did big tobacco survive for 40 years after we knew it was bad for you? Why aren't we leading climate change? Why are minorities, gay and trans peoples still trodden so heavily upon.

Because the well funded super rich and business have control of our lawmakers and convince enough of us that this is normal in order to maintain control. It drowns out the actual voice of reason. It drowns out the middle.

Those who argue on the other sides of these issues - I have no doubt to your belief and commitment. Part of it has to do with the scripting and propaganda that has been around so long and part to do with other parts of your belief system. But you have also come to believe through this process that you represent a majority voice (from what conservative outlets and media tell you) and that just isn't the case.

If you want a reality check, look at the rest of the wealthy world - look at Europe. Why is Germany committed to eliminating all coal use by 2038? Why is Universal Healthcare a reality in every other wealthy nation? Why do the Europeans have mass transit, clean water, thriving public education?

Because they are older and have found ways to curb the influence of the ultra-right so the true center has a voice. Same voices that say nobody should go hungry or be unable to afford to see a doctor. That understand that Global Warming is real and that war is an atrocity that should not be repeated, especially for economic interest. That multiculturalism is part of this shrinking world.

If we find ways to turn off the propaganda and remove the lobbyists and ownership of politicians (largely remove money from politics altogether) we will find our common ground. And that should be the goal of everyone that is looking for their family to come out whole. Who is looking to be kind to each other, to look out for and help each other. 

Greedy assh*les will always exist. We jut need to take our world back from them - and remember, governance is allowed by those being governed. As soon as we realize we have the power to change things, they will change, regardless of the money.