Protest movements are the domain of the young. They ask for our structures, be they physical or not, to be torn down and replaced by new, instant replacements of the protestors' design.
What they don't allow for, however, is the fact that those existing structures were built by the previous generations when they were young. Fixing things always takes more effort than destroying them and replacing them but repairs give us continuity.
The old story about a farmer's 50 year old axe (it's had 5 handles and 3 heads but it's still the same axe) is the same as our 103 year old nation. It isn't anything like the original because over the years we've replaced worn out axioms and repaired damaged beliefs.
But those repairs have required effort. Unlike a child's desires, we cannot make it happen just because we say so and hope someone does it for us. We have to put the effort in to learn the skills we need and then the patience and determination to implement the changes we desire.
And when it comes to changing the society in which we live, these skills don't stop at learning how to vote. That's a basic that is sadly lacking in most of our community but on top of that you have to add how to lobby your local politicians or even how to become one yourself.
If you do get that involved, the skill need then increases to cover advancement to a position where you can actually achieve the broad changes you desire as well as selling them to an electorate that's as cynical and weary of politicians like you as you once were of politicians today.
So, rather than whining about how poorly we are served by the people we've voted for, think about doing something about it yourself. Yes, it'll be hard work and a long road ahead, but until you do something yourself, you'll be limited to the politician you elected.
What they don't allow for, however, is the fact that those existing structures were built by the previous generations when they were young. Fixing things always takes more effort than destroying them and replacing them but repairs give us continuity.
The old story about a farmer's 50 year old axe (it's had 5 handles and 3 heads but it's still the same axe) is the same as our 103 year old nation. It isn't anything like the original because over the years we've replaced worn out axioms and repaired damaged beliefs.
But those repairs have required effort. Unlike a child's desires, we cannot make it happen just because we say so and hope someone does it for us. We have to put the effort in to learn the skills we need and then the patience and determination to implement the changes we desire.
And when it comes to changing the society in which we live, these skills don't stop at learning how to vote. That's a basic that is sadly lacking in most of our community but on top of that you have to add how to lobby your local politicians or even how to become one yourself.
If you do get that involved, the skill need then increases to cover advancement to a position where you can actually achieve the broad changes you desire as well as selling them to an electorate that's as cynical and weary of politicians like you as you once were of politicians today.
So, rather than whining about how poorly we are served by the people we've voted for, think about doing something about it yourself. Yes, it'll be hard work and a long road ahead, but until you do something yourself, you'll be limited to the politician you elected.
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