Mea Culpa:
An Honest Reflection
Two hundred and forty-six years ago, give or take, we declared our independence from Great Britain. Our Revolution began in April 1775, Jefferson drafted the Declaration in June 1776, the Continental Congress endorsed it on July 2, signed it in August, and it was delivered to the King and Parliament that November. These details remind us that our democracy has always been imprecise and imperfect—a series of ideas, symbols, and collective actions by people with good intentions. However, it is not efficient, all-knowing, or always correct. Its success has depended on whether We the People were paying attention, and we haven't always.
The Imperfect Journey of American Democracy
We have not been optimistic about our ability to fix our nation’s mounting problems. History is against us, and every day we neglect to address these issues, they become more insurmountable. We must at least try to make a difference. As de Tocqueville said almost two centuries ago:
The Present Crisis
"The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults."
— Alexis de Tocqueville
We Baby-Boomers have screwed up terribly. We started with such promise, advocating for Civil Rights and Women's Rights, marching against the Vietnam War, and pushing for real change. But we became arrogant and comfortable, leading us to the current state of stupidity. We overshot, and now we face the consequences.
Generational Failures
The solution is straightforward: remove money from politics. Our government operates on laws that shape our system, and since the system is broken, these laws need to be changed. Statutory law has repeatedly failed, so we need a Constitutional Amendment to override Supreme Court decisions that have obstructed progress.
Removing Money from Politics
We propose starting this transformative process in Nebraska. Imagine drafting an amendment so clear and sensible that it garners near-universal agreement. Presenting it to the Nebraska Unicameral, where only 33 affirmative votes are needed for ratification, will ignite a national debate and compel state legislatures nationwide to follow suit. Despite challenges, the overwhelming will of the people will prevail, and the Supreme Court will declare the amendment valid.
Lead From Within
Our society has lost sight of the importance of truth. Lying has become a way of life, eroding trust and integrity. We must return to valuing truth as a cornerstone of our existence. Today, the media, once a bastion of honesty, has become a public relations tool for political affiliations, further distorting reality.
The Loss of Truth
The truth today is that it's all 'fake news.' News organizations prioritize money and personal opinion over journalistic integrity. Audiences seek biased coverage that suits their views, creating a cycle of self-gratification rather than information. To regain trust, we need honest journalism that allows readers to make up their minds based on clear facts.
The Impact of Media
Without truth and our American ideals, we are no better than any other nation. Political factions have devolved into a win-at-all-costs mentality, and corruption dominates the process. We must remember that no faction has moral superiority, and we need each other to find workable solutions.
The Need for Truth
It's deeply meaningful to hear the younger generation criticize us with sanctimony. They dismiss us as lazy, self-righteous fools, and rightly so. We are failures, and the problems we face today are entirely our fault. For all our accomplishments, we failed to learn and teach essential lessons. Our democracy is failing, and we are on the brink of disaster. But there is hope in our younger generations' ideas, passion, and dreams. A new revolution will have to be started to fulfill the promise of our Founding Fathers.
To address our governmental failures, we must start with a strong legal foundation, echoing the principles in the Declaration of Independence. Our Founding Fathers, aware of human frailties and corruption, gave us a blueprint to alter or abolish destructive governments. It is our duty to modify our current system and establish one that better serves our collective interests.
Responsibility & Hope
Our political process is broken, and elections no longer bring substantive change. The rich and powerful have manipulated the system for their benefit, creating an oligarchy. We must recognize that the system is rigged and take steps to fix it.
The Broken System
Systemic problems require systemic solutions. We know the system is broken, but no faction has proposed a genuine solution. We need to address the root causes of corruption and manipulation to restore our democracy.
Fixing the System
Despite the bleak picture, we believe there is a way back. You, the next generation, have the power to fix our nation. By understanding the true nature of our problems and working together, we can create a better future. The Founding Fathers' vision of a government by and for the people can still be realized if we act now.
"Mea Culpa" is a call to action for all of us to recognize our failures, embrace the truth, and work together to restore our democracy. We the People, led by you, can fix it all.
The Way Back
All ideologies have nuggets of virtue and logic but become destructive in their extremes. After a century of ideological warfare, we should have learned that no single ideology holds all the answers. We need a balanced approach that incorporates the best aspects of each.
We are complicit in our collective failure. Despite knowing we're heading in the wrong direction, we have done little to change it. Our favorite entertainment reflects our fears and fantasies, but we need to face reality and take action.