I’m not just interested in playing a catalyzing role in the learning revolution worldwide: I’m also deeply interested and motivated to bring about a political revolution. I’m interested in and committed to peaceful self-determination. Larry Lessig has articulated the kind of change I want to both see and tangibly advance in his 30 minute video, “Republic, Lost.” Take some time and watch. It’s time to connect the dots, and Larry does a masterful job of this.
“Socialized risk, privatized benefit.” I gained a lot of insight into what that means and has meant to our economy listening to the audio book, “All the Devils Are Here: The Hidden History of the Financial Crisis” this past spring. I’ll learn more after reading, “13 Bankers: The Wall Street Takeover and the Next Financial Meltdown.”
Why is childhood obesity and diabetes experiencing stratospheric growth in the USA? I gained considerable insight into this question earlier this year watching the documentary, “King Corn.” I’ll learn more watching, “Food, Inc.” It’s time to end corn subsidies in the United States. It’s time to end sugar tariffs.
Without substantive political change in the United States, however, which I suspect will only come about through a massive, populist uprising, these politically purchased policies will NOT change.
Add Larry Lessig’s most recent book, “Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress–and a Plan to Stop It” to your “to read soon” list. I have.
Political change initiated and carried forward by a popular uprising of “the people.” It’s not just something we’ve seen in the Middle East as “Arab Spring.” It’s something we desperately NEED in the United States. My recent trips the past two months to China and Qatar reinforce this strongly. A large percentage of the world doesn’t think “we” can do it: Reform and redirect our political system and trajectory as the United States of America.
We need to prove them wrong.
75% of U.S. citizens today believe “money buys results in Congress.” I agree: “The Funders are NOT The People.” Watch this video and I’m betting you will too. (Unless you’re a current FUNDER in this context or political lobbyist.) We need to change this perception of students in “Rock The Vote” with substantive reforms which change “the money game” which IS status quo politics in the USA: “No matter who wins, corporate interests will still have too much power and prevent real change.” By mobilizing the youth in our nation, I believe we’ll change this reality and FINALLY get a new political status quo. Lessig offers “small dollar funded elections” as a solution. Perhaps that political fundraising model would enable me (one day) and others who are not currently wealthy, ‘ruling elites’ to successfully run for political office? Time will tell.
It’s time to “strike at the root.”
We need to “convince a reluctant nation to wage a war to save democracy.” I’m not exaggerating the stakes, and neither is Larry Lessig.
Think Theodore Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party of 1912. That party may not exist yet in the 21st century U.S. political landscape, but when it does I’ll be joining it along with others like Larry. Perhaps you will too.
Our opportunity as well as challenge is to save our Republic. I hope that is a future we can write together.
Hat tip to Alec Couros and the Open Culture blog for directing me to this video by Larry Lessig.
Stay tuned.
Technorati Tags: corruption, lessig, money, revolution, political, republic, congress
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