Continuing the story

Well, this started as a travel log and a way to communicate with friends and family. I think that it can still serve one of its purposes even though I'm back in LA and only a phone call away. One lesson I learned from traveling is that it is very difficult and even more important to process my own thoughts in some form. Whether on a daily, weekly, or unscheduled basis documenting my thoughts is a great way to reflect on my life and gain a better understanding of myself. As for why I choose this medium to do it; when I am consciously aware that the whole world has access to my brain at their fingertips, I think that sharing my thoughts will have the added effect of provoking thought in others. And that is something we need to do more with each other.

I had a conversation recently with a friend about the Obama campaign. Naturally, we began discussing what and why we were attracted to his campaign over any of the other candidates. One of the points we both agreed on is that Obama seems to have the charisma and energy of a leader that is not shared by any other candidate. And this is where it got interesting...

...because the focus that popular media highlights is "the issues." Where do the candidates stand on health care, "the war," social security, the environment? The candidates are applauded or criticized for their positions and their plans to change (or maintain) current policies. Finally, the candidates themselves point out weaknesses or inconsistencies in their opponent's campaigns. This is the presidential race (race...why are we in such a hurry?). This is the way it has been for as long as I have been alive.

But what else is there that motivates and inspires someone to exercise their "inalienable" right to vote for their future leader? Well, theres leadership. Theoretically, in our democratic society people are the ultimate leaders of the country. As a collective group, aren't we the ones who have the power to effect change in our own society? Yet, today we shrug that responsibility (and in turn surrender that potential power) and expect the government to do it for us. People expect the government to fix the housing crisis and stop the pollution of the environment and stop raising taxes and make sure that nothing interferes with the sale at The Gap on Sunday. When did people lose faith in their own ability to make a change? Unfortunately, the current administration gladly accepts its paternal role (human greed for power is a terrifying force) as it steers us further and further away from the true democracy we are supposed to have. Political officials are sometimes referred to as "public servants", yet so little of what they do is public and even less in an effort to serve someone other than themselves.

What I believe a leader of this country should do is incite people into action, motivate cooperation to change that which they believe needs change, and inspire us to become the the democracy that we fake to the world today. Essentially, when I hear Barack Obama speak on "the issues," I am not merely in general agreement with his proposals, I share his professed values and I feel this desire to work towards achieving something. I actually want to help the government because I believe in it. If people regain trust in the work of the government, then taxes will not be a burden, voting wont seem such an obligation, and Lou Dobbs and Bill O'Reilly will hopefully finally be out of a job.

Two more things come to mind. One, the fact that people may read this and write it off as unrealistic idealism speaks about as clearly as anything to the rigidity in our culture. And two, that this post turned out to be nothing like I imagined it would be when I started.

Keep it fresh.

- Neil