Sometimes we require a quiet moment to reflect on experiences, regain perspective, and reassert goals. Sort of a, "Where have we come from? Where are we at? Where are we going?" Only by periodically doing so can anyone ever truly grasp, let alone consciously shape, the path of their own lives. Yet how can we ever hope to accomplish that- individually or nationally- while living in a country where peace, truth, and personal autonomy have become artificially scarce commodities restricted by the wealthy? What is this current socioeconomic turmoil really about- Race? Politics? Money?

To answer all that, let's first clear the air a bit.

We are all drowning daily in both the cause and effect of journalistic integrity's death on the corporate altar- our constant false politics of promoted division. Gay or straight? Black or white? Native or immigrant? Successful or unemployed? Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter? Anti-gun or pro-gun? Pro abortion or pro-life? Democrat or Republican? Green or Libertarian? Liberal or Conservative? Christian or Muslim? "Weak" or "strong"?

I'm tired of being told "one classification is bad, and the other is good, now cease independent thinking". I'm sick of seeing entire spectrums of diverse people lumped together into groups to better dole out agenda-pushed blame or hatred by convenient category. How will that ever enable constructive democracy? How can there be any peace when our 'leaders' and society discard respectful reasoning for normalized conflict?

I'm done with assigned labels of contention. I ask that you be done with me, for the sake of all. They've been proven, especially in this election, to be void of true meaning whilst creating and manipulating antagonistic division. The only meaningful evaluation of any person (or group's) worth is by pure facts- provable individual merit. Which is the one criteria both establishment parties outright reject to escape personal accountability.

This paint-by-numbers bigotry, no matter what the source or how cleverly amusing the spin, plants judgement based on validating emotional bias, not facts. It rejects intellectualism and adopts generic, grossly unfair, inaccurate shortcuts to non-thinking. When the only thing united about these States are the corporations and banks, it's really no wonder they have control. America itself was born through the power of sheer unity.

“The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!” — Patrick Henry in 1774 after the Boston Tea Party.

When you care about people, you care enough to try to understand and respect their points of view or needs. Even when they differ with your own. The resulting knowledge expands your perspective, and enhances your appreciation for diversity. Mutual respect can then be built. This inspires peace.

When you stop caring about people, you don't care enough to try understanding or respecting others' points of view or needs. Especially when they differ with your own. The resulting ignorance narrows perspective, and re-frames diversity as a negative. Mutual disregard is created. This breeds conflict.

Capitalism without socialism (including Neoliberalism) is simply a society increasingly incentivized and encouraged not to care. Empty emotional satisfaction through commercialism, media narratives of sponsored propaganda, normalized wage slavery and poverty have stolen our souls, perspective and hope. Unquenchable callous greed is cannibalizing America and exploiting its citizenry- simply because despite their empty, duplicitous rhetoric, those doing it provably just no longer care about the people.

Even if I couldn't put it into these words at the time, I and millions of others were awakened and remain justifiably outraged at this thanks to Bernie's political revolution. It's just logic: if a bad situation is preventable yet isn't, then one rationally looks at why. In this case, the waters have gotten so convoluted and muddy that most of my confused countrymen now seem too busy blaming, attacking, and even shooting each other to see the bigger picture- and how they are sabatoging their own power to stop it.

“Stability in government is essential to national character and to the advantages annexed to it, as well as to that repose and confidence in the minds of the people, which are among the chief blessings of civil society.”

- James Madison

Bernie Sanders is indeed an incredible human being. In many ways, he embodies this movement; but make no mistake, he is not this movement. The American people (and the world) could undoubtedly use more brave examples like him, but they do not need a savior. The heroes of this nation, now and throughout its conception, are the unwavering patriotic individuals that collectively make it up. Those of us shouting 'enough is enough' are the ones we've been waiting for.

Contrary to the alternate reality of scripted television-land, both parties represent the dwindling minority of the population. Both parties are losing supporters for the tactics they employ while attempting to gain power. Both parties have taken the one-time respected, historically honorable position of President and turned it into a surreal, worldwide dark joke of corruption and conquest. And both parties are unwilling to turn away from their own elite cabal's destructive, unsustainable and undemocratic core agendas.

This isn't about politics or candidates any more. This is about humane self-preservation. This is about us reviving one of our most basic commonalities, and working together to make it something to be proud of again: we are Americans. That meant something once, something worth defending. The rest of the world is positively elated over seeing the growing majority here finally beginning to rightfully ask, why are we not taking care of each other? Why not help over hurt? Why not put people before profit?

The only ones saying the status quo is inevitable are those who aren't actually living it, aren't needlessly suffering and dying from it. With respect, that insulated minority (whether through elevated societal status, immorality, or ignorance) are not fit to rule. They unfortunately simply lack the qualifications, rational motivations and perspective to entrust our lives or futures in... let alone those of our nation and planet.

“I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.” — John Adams

Nobody can (and I certainly won't try to) predict what tomorrow brings, or even who to vote for. I don't live according to pre-decided hypothetical what-if's; that path ends only in falsely constructed chaos. It leaves out the culmination of all surrounding details, knowledge, and experience gained along the way to that possible future. Bernie and his campaign may have shown us that plans can indeed be thwarted sometimes, but they have also taught us that having a permanent ethical conscience and the resolute will to use it aren't so easily overcome. Especially in large numbers. And particularly when organized.

So I refuse to give up on my country. I will never stop fighting for a nation and government which actually represents us all. One that leads by example, not by force or coercion. I will unrelentingly do everything I can to stop our current policies that incentivize the mistreatment and deaths of my fellow citizens and human family worldwide. I can no longer lose myself in the distractions and self-involvement our sick society has promoted to our own self-destruction. I may be appalled and ashamed of my country right now, but know only through determined effort can I ever hope to be proud of it once again.

As sponsored appeals to the worst of part our natures and institutionalized ignorant apathy has allowed these greedy, violent, adult children to overrun and subvert our country- our home- I respectfully suggest that fostering the best of our natures and organizing informed activism are the keys to its reversal. It's now our responsibility to nurture, defend and facilitate America's evolving maturity. Not just for a single election cycle, not simply in the temporary service of a fallible individual, but with the higher values and eternal brilliant spirit of our founding fathers- no matter what it takes, no matter how long.