The rotten thing about living in a democratic, capitalist society is that we control our own fate. We elect our own representatives. We start our own businesses that live and die by our hands. We speak freely and we can't help but listen to others. And when something goes wrong, we blame ourselves?
No we don't! Oh, God no! We can pick on the media, a choice minority, corrupt politicians, bad weather or, when all else fails, Rush Limbaugh. Thank heavens we've never done anything wrong! Nothing is ever our fault.
We act like a bunch of 4-year-olds manipulated by a world we have no control over. Politicians lie to us and hide behind thick smoke screens of glitzy advertising and spin-doctoring. Incumbents get elected again and again in spite of our dissatisfaction with government. Oh, how we yearn for someone to tell us the truth about politicians! Won't someone point us towards representative representatives?
Television showers us with violence and mindless talk shows. Why doesn't mommy turn it off?! Help! The internet too is full of pornography! And our kids are constantly running into it . . . why won't Uncle Sam make sure our kids stir free?
There has to come a time when we realize that society's problems were not caused either by God or President Clinton. Our problems are, by and large, a result of our shortcomings and apathy. We elect the rotten politicians and clamor for violent TV shows. We don't teach our kids the value of hard work and education. We are the ones who have memorized the Chicago Bulls roster, but can't recall the names of our Congressmen.
After smashing the mirror that dared call her the second most beautiful, the evil stepmother in the story of Snow White apparently realized that the mirror wasn't causing her problem. I wonder when we, as a whole, will come to the realization that our fate is in our own hands and that the state of a community, large or small, is a reflection of it's members.
We should enjoy our freedom by realizing the power and responsibility that comes with it. If television stations broadcasts programs that are too violent, shoot the set Elvis style and cuddle up with a book. Then programs will change. If your kids surf the internet, spend the time with them to make sure they're browsing Sesame Street and not Hustler's Peek of the Month. If politicians are lying to you, check their congressional records, hear what political watchdog groups have to say, get off your couch and go to the library. Watch C-Span instead of MTV. Know what's happening in the world around you. Actively participate in your government. If you do not, you have no right to complain, for you are the problem.
Which brings me to our College on the Hill. This time next year, when the candidates for Student Assembly are reminding you how inactive and impotent the Assembly has been and show you that the Assembly president has done nothing to "bring the community together," remember this: The candidates are admonishing you, not the Assembly. You are the student body that didn't care enough to look beyond xeroxed posters with glossy faces and elected people whose only gift was a talent for saying "cheese." Take that to heart, make a difference, change yourself.
