forgetting the “do nothings”
Its Jimbo
There is a natural phenomenon continually taking place within the
human race and more so in our own American democratic society today.
That phenomenon is better described as complacency or a just; don’t
give a damn attitude towards any issue affecting the survival of our
democracy or our country by the majority of the American people.
For the American people this is a total reversal from a time not long
ago when the American people were a major “can do” society and world
leader in the spread of freedom and democracy.
The proof of this “do nothing” attitude is seen in the fact that
governments generally flow in the direction of the majority interest
of the people and since we have a “do nothing” government, this
indicates we have a “do nothing” majority population.
When a society declines to a “do nothing” existence, outside forces,
such as the corporate powers move in to pick up the scraps while
taking away the things, like the freedoms, democracy, privacy,
infrastructure, control of our military and economic strength, which
are left unprotected by the “ do nothing” government and it’s majority
population.
Back when this country was formed our founding fathers fought and died
to rid themselves of the oppressive controls of the rich and powerful.
They formed a new self-rule style democracy where the power in that
democracy was distributed evenly among the population by providing the
constitutional right to vote and the civil liberties to be active
within the law on issues that protected and strengthened that
democracy.
The founding fathers placed the survival of this new democracy in the
hands of the people thinking the people would always come together on
issues that threatened their rights, freedoms, and democracy.
However, over time the American people have fallen into the trap of
believing their democracy will always survive and be there without
them ever having to do anything, or believing someone else is
responsible to ensure their rights and freedoms without interrupting
their complacent existence.
In a way they are right because they know they can free ride on the
backs of the “minority segment” that will always be there to fight for
and preserve their “ do nothing” existence.
This take it for granted or “do nothing attitude” is leading this
country back to a totalitarian style rule where the freedoms of
democracy are done away with.
How is it possible for a person to fully understand the values of
democracy and freedom when they have never lived under an oppressive
dictatorship?
As time passes complacency breeds ignorance, which becomes the flaw in
a free and open democratic society and the reason for the” majority do
nothing attitude”. To “do nothing” is the mindlessly way, which
condones the destruction of democracy and the rights and freedoms it
provides.
Fortunately, in any democratic society there is a “minority segment”
that values the freedoms of democracy and is willing to step up and
take action when their democracy and freedoms are threatened.
This “minority segment” of the population is viewed as radicals by the
“do nothing segment” because the “do nothings” believe being
complacent and using inaction is what the founding fathers meant as
being patriotic.
Fortunately the “minority segment” understands their constitutional
obligations to preserve their democracy and freedoms while the “do
nothings” believe freedom and democracy are their inherited rights
someone else is obligated to provide for them.
There is great power in the “minority segment” to make the changes
necessary to preserve and strengthen the democracy and enhance the
freedoms, but only when it is totally united for a single common
cause.
Today, there are millions of people and thousands of organizations
working to preserve the democracy, yet they are fragmented while
working individually and in most cases in small groups through out the
country without a major unifying factor or leadership.
The preservation of our democracy and our freedoms is totally
dependent on the “ minority segment” becoming united under one roof
where their combined and committed voting power becomes a major player
in the political arena, such as the unions were at one time and the
religious right is now.
We must learn and understand how the “minority segments” of the past
have gained and used their political power to bring about change in
societies.
There is more then enough political power available right now within
the thousands of peace, anti-war, justice, human rights-and
environmental organizations presently working to combat corporate
domination.
Individually these organizations can make only noise while
collectively they can make change, because unity is the known and
proven factor and the way the “minority segments” have always
prevailed.
The problem is; what will the unifying factor be? The unifying factor
must be one that addresses the core issue all the organizations are
centered on, which is restoring democracy, strengthening the rights
and freedoms of the people while enhancing the security and
environment of the country.
Secondly, the design of the cause that becomes the unifying factor
must be presented in a way where the “do nothing segment” agrees
overwhelmingly with the stated goals of the “minority segment”.
The second part is important because the “do nothing segment” can
easily be persuaded by the corporate powers to oppose any efforts to
preserve or strengthen their democracy.
The design of a plan that is capable of uniting the “minority segment”
need not be complicated but it must have focused vision to see the
overall picture in this world.
The overall cause of the problems in this world today is directly
related to the globalization process now under way where the corporate
powers have gained control of governments and are maneuvering to
establish global rule.
Anything less then efforts to recognize and solve this problem is
fruitless and a waste of time, effort, and resources. I don’t remember
the exact figures, but when our democracy was formed there were about
1.7 million people in this country.
50% of those people (approximately 850 thousand people) were “do
nothings” and refused to lift a hand to help. 30% (approximately 510
thousand people) were loyal to England and primarily “do nothings” for
that side.
20% (approximately 340 thousand) were the “minority segment” who in
one way or another contributed to establishing the greatest democracy
ever formed.
Now, look at our elections in this country, generally around 50% never
bother to vote.
In a democracy; if you don’t vote you loose, therefore the “do
nothings” are the losers and cancer in any society.
The “do nothings” have always been there throughout history in all
societies free riding on the backs of those willing to make things
better.
I guess if we want things to get better we have to learn to work
around these deadheads and continue our struggle, because that is the
way it was meant to be.
One important thing we must understand is, we cannot ever give in to
those complacent losers because that would make us losers.
The encouraging thing is, history proves that the “minority segment”
in most cases does figure it out eventually and prevails in the long
run.
It always becomes a struggle because those who do want things to be
better for everybody have to drag so many losers with them.
Have faith because Peace in this world will be achieved in spite of
the “do nothings”. The sad thing is they will reap the benefits and
say, ” I told you Peace would come without me being involved”.
Frustrated, YES – discouraged, NO….
Your friend for Peace
Jimbo


