Too often we assume our politicians know or care what we care about. “We the People” have spoken. Can we get a redo?
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Nearly 200,000 of us have signed an actual White House petition to deport Canadian-born pop sensation Justin Bieber. I won’t recap the alleged crimes, especially when they are plastered everywhere to the point where our media influentials actually interrupt their interviews with members of Congress in order to fill us in on the juicy juice. We see ourselves as a country that wholeheartedly embraces all the tools we have to become informed citizens in our hard-earned democracy. But many in the international community see perhaps a truer side to us: As a whole we are far more influenced by and informed about our celebrities than we are our decision makers. So it goes.
But what if? What if nearly 200,000 of us from various parts along the political spectrum could actually rally behind issues that matter? One signer of the Bieber deportation petition told me it took them about 3 minutes to complete. So I’ll set a timer for 3 minutes and rumble out a list of things we COULD be doing.
Start:
(1) Pass H.R. 1732, an act that would help child victims of human trafficking have access to the services they need in order to heal.
(2) Get with the 21st century and allow the bullet train to help our economy be more efficient and help our environment withstand the brutal demands we place on it.
(3) Rally behind legislation to make sure that our country’s women are paid the same as its men.
(4) Support the many great teachers in our country who want to get away from standardized testing and into more accurate ways of assessing critical thinking.
(5) Stand behind prison reform measures so that our country’s astonishing amount of incarcerated peoples have a chance to become better, not angrier.
(6) Support and educate the public about our environmental heroes. As Guy McPherson says: “If you think the economy is more important than the environment, try holding your breath while counting your money.”
(7) Fight to make sure our own wealth isn’t built on the backs of slavery.
(8) Start a petition to encourage that the History Channel actually shows, ya know, some history.
(9) Elevate the voice of independent politicians (Bernie Sanders, anyone?) who occasionally actually present ideas that are in the best interests of our country.
(10) Put acts in place that help our country’s citizens recognize the importance of empathy, especially in an increasingly globalized world.
(11) Support groups like Willow Way who work to ensure that those trafficked into prostitution and forced to commit crimes do not have to live with the burden of their criminal records.
(12) Do not ever let the disease of greed triumph over our workers’ basic collective-bargaining rights.
(13) Become true globally-aware leaders by encouraging and opening up opportunities for our populace to travel and experience other cultures.
(14) Strive to implement safeguards so that the many unaccompanied minors coming to us for safety aren’t raped or otherwise maimed along the way.
(15) Support our troops by supporting their ability to have access to mental health services.
Stop.
Your turn. Go.
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–Photo: AP
The number one thing the Beiber petition had accomplished is reminding people that there is such a thing as a Whitehouse. Gov website.
If only everyone would set it as their homepage! Well, the majority people I know don’t think that petitions do squat. And I’m guessing that’s the reason this one got so many signatures – because it is humorous and powerless and people feel powerless enough anyway and feel like an ‘electronic signature’ is a joke.
I speak for all of Canada when I say… “We don’t want Bieber back…”
It’s not MY turn. It’s OUR turn.
Now to wait and see who’s going to start it first. [maybe this is the biggest hurdle]
I think you are on to something for sure! Wjy do you think people are so passionate about something like deporting JB but they can’t seem to get it together on issues that MATTER?