Ignorance is Bliss...or is it?

We have a huge problem in the United States.  It's much greater than the recession, the budget crisis, the wars, and the lack of equal rights, combined.  Registered voters are voting (that's good...) without knowing what they are voting for/against!!!  Why is this a problem? Well, we end up with governors who are not so popular, i.e. Rick Scott of Florida, presidential candidates  who aren't exactly "top-notch," we get stuck in wars we have no business being in, and our governmental stability is threatened because we have representatives complicating our budget far more than necessary.

LZ Granderson, in his weekly column on CNN Opinion, wrote, "...Yet we all know people who gleefully admit they know nothing about politics, don't have time to find out what the current issues are or even know how the government works, but go out and vote. Want to know why it seems Washington is run by a bunch of idiots? Blame this hiccup in our political system for starters. What's a solution? Weed out some of the ignorant by making people who want to vote first pass a test modeled on the one given to those who want to become citizens."

I remember my high school Civics class; I learned so much about the way our country works, and enjoyed it, knowing that I would soon be able to take part in the democratic processes of this great nation.  It made me feel like it was an honor to register to vote, to join what I assumed was an elite group.  In reality, it was no big deal.  I registered in about five minutes, and felt no different after I filled out the generic form.  What if there was more to it than putting your address and personal info on the registration form?  What if there was a test, to prove that you are qualified to vote on issues that affect us all?

I think we should strongly consider it for any upcoming elections.  I mean, can anybody just show up on the field to play as a wide receiver for the Colts without ever having played a single game of football?  Can anybody stand in as an engineer designing a skyscraper in Dubai without showing proof of their qualifications?
So why should just anybody be able to elect the officials running our country?  


Over the next few days, we are going to go through a "refresher course," using basic questions from the Citizenship and Naturalization tests.  So we are all on the same page.

Are You Willing to Get Angry?

"There must be a positive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honour, Power, and Glory, established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty."

John Adams, the second president of our dear Nation, wrote these words in 1776 in a letter to Mercy Otis Warren, America's first female playwright.  I think he was onto something here...

"There must be a positive Passion for the public good...established in the Minds of the People..."  Do you have a positive Passion?  As you must know by now, I am very fond of word definitions.  "Passion" is defined as "intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; an outbreak of anger."  Would you be willing to break out in anger for the good of the public?  What about honor?  Power?  What is it that strikes a chord within you?  Mr. Adams said that if we don't have that intense conviction (or we aren't willing to get angry about it) within our minds, then we can forget about real Liberty.  I understand from this phrase that our freedom starts from within.  Think about that.  Do you feel free, from the very depths of your being?  Do you know that you are free?

"...the public good, the public Interest, Honour, Power, and Glory," all of these are ours.  If we are willing to fight for them.  If there is a passion burning within us, established in our minds, to have these things, then we can begin to have a real Republic.  I like Encyclopaedia Britannica's definition of Republic, "a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, retain supreme control over the government."  You see, we have the right to vote, do demand representation from our elected officials, and to hold them accountable for the decisions they make on our behalf.  But we only retain that right, that supreme control over government, if we make our Passion for our rights public.

There is no such thing as passive activism.  For the last two and a half centuries, rights have been won, our Constitution has been interpreted time and again, not because of somebody waiting on their neighbor to take action, but because people have gotten angry. 

Shutdown 2011: Really??

So we are all aware of the Fed shutdown looming upon us in about 75 minutes.  But is there really anything to be afraid of?  Let's look at the effects, in terms we all understand:

Benefits Package

• SSI - Benefits are still being paid.  In the process of applying?  It may take a few days longer.  Patience is a virtue.  And they already apparently have a huge backlog, anyway.  So you still have to wait in line. 
• Medicare - Benefits are still being paid.  Thank goodness for trust funds, I guess...
• NIH - the National Institute of Health won't be beginning any new clinical trials.  I'm not sure that's a bad thing, according to what I've heard about some trials.  They also won't be taking any new patients for a few days. 
• Welfare - Your benefits were already approved through September.  And I'm pretty sure the government will un-shutdown before then.

Money Matters

• IRS - If you haven't filed your tax return yet, shame on you.  W2s have been out since Jan 31.  Refunds are being delayed.  But, of course, if you owe, they will gladly accept and take your check.
• Mortgages - The Federal Housing Administration will not be issuing new mortgages right now. 
• Food Stamps - No need to worry until May.  You've already received your April benefits. 
• Banks - The FDIC insures all depositors up to a certain amount.  Uncle Sam's taking care of your money.  No need to hoard your cash underneath your mattress.  Yet.   

Miscellaneous

• Passports - This one's unclear.  Issuance of passports and/or visas could be delayed.  Or stopped.  But they don't know yet. 
• USPS - The postal service will continue to run as normal. 
• Military - They still earn money.  The receipt of their paychecks might be delayed...

The People who Refuse to Agree

• As far as I know, the members of Congress will still be receiving their full paychecks.  On time.  Do you see anything wrong with this picture?  The men and women overseas fighting in a war they didn't start may not be paid on time, but the people responsible for this "shutdown" will.  Priorities, anyone?

There are several other federal activities being minorly affected by this discord, but Congress will be paid.  How many incumbents do you foresee taking office again after this term?

Budget, Shmudget

As I write this, our entire country is sitting on the edge of their recliners and sectional sofas, counting down to the government shutdown that could happen at the end of this week, should the Republicans and Democrats not reach an agreement on how we should stop spending because we need money.

Earlier this week I read about presidential campaign fundraising goals for 2011.  Some of the projected goals top a million dollars.  If these guys (and gals) are so eager to raise funds for promoting their personal agendas, then maybe we should give them an offering plate to start passing around on behalf of the Federal Budget as well.  Can you imagine the silence in the chambers of Congress if they all were staring at the plate looming before their eyes, dreading its arrival?  What if we were to shave a mere $10,000 from the salaries of each Representative, and $15,000 from each Senator?  Let's see...that would total to...$4,350,000 from the House, and...$1,500,000 from the Senate.  There are almost 309 million residents in the US right now.  What if we each gave $10?  If my math is correct, then that would total to over 3 billion dollars.  How much money are we trying to raise/save/stop spending again?  That'd be a pretty good start.  And then we could stop all new dog park construction for the year (I have nothing against dog parks.  I just believe that they shouldn't be priority in a year of economic crisis).  And what about the refurbishments throughout the corrections department of each state?  Do our prisoners really need new refrigerators right now?  Seeing things like these listed on my state's budget make me question the seriousness of our nation's crisis...or at least question the methods being used to "fix" it.

I don't claim to be perfect, or to have all the answers.  But with a little common sense and a fair amount of intelligence, I don't think our budget problem would be that difficult to solve.  How would you modify the federal budget to cover the deficit?

IMPACT Invitation

Over the past few years, I have been interested in becoming involved in LGBT advocacy in the community, and have tried to "get in" with SAVEDade and Unity Coalition.  But it has proven to be a lot more difficult than I originally thought, due to seemingly "closed" circles that surround these organizations.  And now that I am back in Miami, I am ready to take action again.  This time, instead of trying to join the ranks of an already-established organization, I (along with a group of other interested activists) have decided to form a real advocacy group, IMPACT - Individuals Motivated to Produce Actual Change Today.

 We hope to represent the diversity of the LGBT community and have an open and transparent agenda which welcomes the participation of all. We intend to concentrate on legislative issues, but will also work on educational campaigns and other projects as our members and our community see fit.

Our first order of business will be to get every municipality in Miami-Dade County (as Miami Beach has done) to pass a resolution in support of the Uniting American Families Act, a bill in Washington that seeks to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting "permanent partners" of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner  as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents. We are already writing language for the resolution and have made calls to elected officials in Coral Gables and Doral about placing it on their city agendas. Once we get a supporting resolution from every municipality, we might go to Broward County and get support from the governments there before forwarding them to the bill's advocates in committee.

We can also take on other issues, such as anti-hate and anti-bully education (making it a legislated requirement) in schools, among other timely issues, but we want to include more of you in the discussion before we take any direction.

We would love for you to join us. It does not take a huge commitment of time. Maybe you just want to attend the community conversations so that we may "pick your brain" so to speak, get your ideas and opinions on issues, so that we can make decisions and move on issues that are more representative of the community. In fact, strength in numbers can also have impact so by joining, you help. If you want to become involved with IMPACT, please let me know. We are trying to get a nice group together for the Miami Beach Pride event April 16 so that we can do some outreach there. We will soon have a Facebook page to keep everyone informed on our activities (we will post when we are before a town council or city commission so you know if it's your elected officials and you can be there to lend support). Also, feel free to forward the information on the new group along to your friends and colleagues in the community, LGBT or not, who want to make a difference.

Ready to take action,

Megan Conyers

Founding Member, IMPACT

Politics vs. Social Status

Of how many "advocacy groups" are you currently aware?  I thought so.  Quite a few, if you put yourself to think about it.  National groups such as the NAACP, state groups like Environment Florida, and local groups, such as your local Chamber of Commerce.  (Just because I mention specific groups does not mean that I am against them in any way, shape, or form.  They are merely examples of more commonly known advocacy groups.)

Now, let's explore a little deeper.  Have you ever tried to become involved with one of such advocacy groups, because you really liked the way their mission statement sounds?  A lot of active verbs, a lot of great causes, and a lot of magnificent imagery that flashes through your mind as you imagine changing the world with your fellow group members?  You check out the website of the group, find out where to send your application or interest form, and fill it out, brimming with energy and excitement for the revolution you feel is further underway with every stroke of the keyboard!  You e-mail the form, because you *know* they'll get your data on their smartphones and immediately call you and...nothing happens.  You wait patiently.  You see several advocacy campaigns and events advertised, you see the cars lined down the block near the director's country club estate for the "by invitation only" VIP cocktail party for which you weren't on the guest list.  Your illusions and dreams of one day being able to say "I was on the committee that was responsible for changing the world," dissipate.  You quickly realize that this group obviously doesn't want your help, even though they advertise a "new-member drive" all over Facebook, Twitter, and on signs in your neighbor's yard.  

So what's the deal?  You ask.  It seems as if these groups (especially the local ones) are more of a social revue than anything else.  They want to save the world, but only by the side of people just like them.  They want to say they're starting a political revolution, but all they seem to do is "celebrate."  When do they work? When do they fight legislation?  Phone banking - with a never-ending flow of wine and a constant smoke break?  How does a cocktail party (labeled "VIP" to make it sound posh) cause legislative reform?  

Sure.  Networking is a huge key to success.  But when does the networking convert to fruition of your purpose statement?  You just got an award, but for WHAT?  Where are the politics?  When do you involve your community - both those for you and against you?  How can I help?  Really help?   

Unfortunately, many of today's "advocacy groups" are cliques.  Just like in high school.  The "cool kids."  The "rich kids."  The socialites of our day.  And it's next to impossible (it seems) to be "accepted."  

What can we do about it?  Stand up and TAKE ACTION.  Be the change!  A movement really can start with one person.  Start talking.  You'll be amazed to find that you are not alone.  That others feel "left out" just like you.  What do you want to see accomplished?  What do you want to advocate for?  What was it about that mission statement that you liked?  Who in your local government (start small - more on this later) sits on the legislative committee involved with that?  How can you get on the agenda at a city council meeting?  Change has to start somewhere.  And if you aren't willing to get involved, then why should anybody else be?  It's time to actually produce change, not just talk about it over coffee!  

First World Rights + Rhetoric

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of [limited] liberty...

Industrialization, as I have learned, is the primary deciding factor for a First World Country.  There exist several First World Countries and many Third World Countries.  No in-betweens.  Does it entail anything else besides the driving factors of a country's economy?  What about Rights?  Do we automatically qualify for First World Rights if we live in a First World Country such as the United States of America?  Let's explore...

• If I am in Arizona, do I have to carry my birth certificate with me at all times just in case I need to prove my citizenship status to a suspecting officer?  Isn't this First World Country the Land of the Free?
• If my friend marries his boyfriend in Massachusetts, should he have to stay there in order for his marriage certificate to be valid and to avoid discrimination?    Are gays not members of this First World Country?
• If my classmate, a follower of the Muslim faith, wears her headscarf in public, should she have to be afraid that a member of another religion will taunt her and demand she not be allowed to practice her faith in the US?  Do we no longer have freedom of religion in this First World Country?
• If my teacher is fired due to budget cuts and is no longer able to find a job, should she have to sit back silently while her local government instead funds the construction of a new dog park?  Isn't this First World Country the Land of Opportunity?

What makes any of these scenarios proper in a First World Country?  Oppression, in its most passive state, is nonetheless oppression.  Remember learning about "No Taxation without Representation?"  It's happening again, this time on our shores.  Some of our elected officials are no longer voting in the best interest of their constituents, but in the best interest of their wallets.  And it's not completely their fault.  We need to speak up.  Let's let them know what bothers us.  What worries us.  What we'd like to see change in our lifetime.  An election is not the only time in which we as citizens have a say in our government.  We can call them.  We can write them.  We can let them know that we are not yet satisfied.  We have to inform our representatives of how we feel.  We can turn this First World Country into a First Rate Country.  It starts with me and you.  Ready?