Stop complaining and do something about it!

By Weekly Archive On Dec 19, 2007

Stop
complaining and do something about it!

By
Alvaro F. Fernandez
alfernandez@the-beach.net

We
are only weeks from the start of 2008. We’ve walked a one-way
street to this point. Just up ahead we notice that our path breaks up
into two roads, each headed in different directions. The notice
allows us time to consider the challenge ahead. Our dilemma: Which
road to take?

The
Iraq War still rages with no real end in sight; the numbers without
health care in this country increase; global warming may someday
leave Floridians underwater; gas prices continue to rise
dramatically; many Americans are losing their homes to foreclosure;
children are being left behind as education indicators point down;
and there is no foreseeable solution to the questions of immigration.
Right here in Miami all these problems resonate and are amplified by
less than stellar political leaders more interested in solving their
own (and those of special interest) problems than those they were
elected to deal with. Examples of leadership’s unwillingness to
tackle the inefficiencies abound: poverty continues on the rise and
money meant to start solving the problems is wasted (or stolen);
school programs are being shut down for lack of dollars, while the
wealthy and politically connected are told they can forego their
taxes; an extra half cent on our sales tax, approved by voters in
2002, has yet to produce a better transportation system (where’s
the money?); instead of celebrating our diversity, we use it as a
tool to divide and elect politicians…

Do
you need more reasons for choosing a direction? I’ve given you a
sampler of the problems we must face on that road to 2008 — a year
when a new president will be elected. Thank God, I can almost hear
you saying. But it will take more than a heavenly act to get out of
the hole we’re in. Right here in Miami, it looks like for the first
time in a long while, we will be dealing with winnable elections to
replace three of the most ineffective members of the House of
Representatives: Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario
Diaz-Balart. All three dedicated to one issue at the expense of their
districts. And all three sleight of hand magicians who still convince
their voters to cast their lot with them.

There’s
the catch: voters elect and reelect them no matter the broken
promises. Their defense for their tactics is valid: the only worthy
poll or survey is the one taken on Election Day. And in past
Novembers, every two years, they’ve won.

I
use Lincoln, Ileana and Mario as my examples, the ones that affect me
directly. But you can choose your own almost anywhere else in the
country, no matter the party he or she represents, and similar things
are happening.

We
keep complaining of getting more of the same. There are no changes
where new directions are needed. Nobody listened when we ordered an
end to the war… But if we’re pointing a finger at someone, don’t
forget there are three of your own pointing right back at you.

So
what do we do?

First
and most importantly, take stock in your own actions. Are you a
registered voter? Do you vote? Regularly? Do you know who you’re
voting for and why? What are the issues that affect your community,
the state, the country?

Now
that you’ve answered those questions… here’s another group you
must also address. Are all your family members registered to vote?
Your neighbors? People on your block, your friends, your social
groups, are they registered to vote? Do they vote? And when they do,
is it for all the right reasons?

And
here’s the third step, are you willing to absorb criticism (or take
chances) for standing up for YOUR beliefs and expressing them … not
somebody else’s?

Our
system demands
that we work at it. But we’ve become so lazy in our materialistic
comfort that we’ve left decisions that affect us, and our children
down the line, to others who are working harder than we do. And those
making the decisions have not always had our best interests in mind.
Look around you, or read paragraph two again, and you’ll better
understand what I’ve just written.

So
to answer, what do we do? Assure that 2008 is not wasted. There’s
really not much time left before you come to the end of this road.
What path will you choose?

Of
course, you can continue on the road we’ve been traveling — the
one of least resistance. Sit by your 42-inch plasma TV and revel in
your comfort as that thing called democracy we read about is tattered
to pieces by people who want you to feel comfortable while they steal
what belongs to you that is
really important.

The
ball’s on our court. Will we pass or take the offensive? The
answers are forthcoming.