Today’s news and a Question June 11 2009
Here are some of the headlines from Drudge today:
Federal government to become largest shareholder in CITI...
Climate talks between US, China break down; Little achieved...
US long-term interest rates hit high; Tepid response to Treasury's debt sale...
Russia military: No nuclear warhead cuts below 1,500...
AMA, NO WAY: Doctors' Group Opposes Obama's Government-Run Health Plan...
Some Israelis Insulted By Obama Picture; 'Sole of shoe' talking on phone with Netanyahu...
New GM Chairman declares: 'I don't know anything about cars'...
Russia May Swap U.S. Treasuries for International Monetary Fund bonds...
When I look at these headlines, I have to sit back and chuckle. Not because any of this is funny. Rather, because no one is up in arms in this country. No one is upset at the direction we are heading. No one is paying attention to what’s going on. No, we’re too busy watching American Idol, So You Can Dance, America’s Got Talent, Survivor, Big Brother, or some other reality TV to escape reality.
Did you know there’s a simple formula for controlling a society? Keep your citizens fat, happy (entertained) and stupid (uneducated about history). When you do that, you can pretty much do anything you want.
The news is merely a symptom of our society. The headlines speak loud – not because of what is being reported, but because of what isn’t happening.
Here’s my question – what do we do about it? I don’t think we “do” anything. Just like anything else, if we start with the doing, we will fail. We must start with changing who we are and how we think. It’s about changing hearts and minds first. Action without belief is worthless and will not last.
I think one criticism of today’s conservatives is accurate – conservatives have become the complainers. I’ve done plenty of it myself unfortunately. Complaining is fine though if it assists you to identify what you don’t like so you can start changing the situation to something you do like.
Here’s the danger of complaining – it’s easy. Which means you can get lazy. Plus, all you are doing is focusing on your opponents ideas and messages, not your ideas.
So, conservatives and libertarians out there, let’s make a shift. Stop giving our opponents attention. Guess what, you aren’t going to like anything they do. We know this, and yet we still give them all the attention in the world. STOP!!!! You know you aren’t going to like what you see on the cable news networks – so why are you still watching them? STOP!!! Conservative bloggers spend an inordinate amount of time reporting on and giving commentary to the networks and politicians they disagree with – Why are we legitimizing their ideas by commenting on them? STOP!!!!
Believe me, I certainly understand the importance of being “up to date” with the news of the day. I understand we have to pay attention to what is happening. I understand this. If we only complain about it, then what are we really accomplishing? Nothing.
You know what confidence is when it comes to politics – it’s having a vision and a message and talking about ideas. It’s doing all that while taking on a lot of criticism. People criticize others when they aren’t confident of themselves. I know that’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true. If you are confident of your ideas, then guess what – You don’t really give a damn about what your critics think. Their continued criticism is a sign that you need to keep doing what you are doing because it’s working. You have your opponents on the defensive.
Let’s stop being on the defensive. Let’s start being confident of who we are and what we believe and stand for. The change starts with us, individually. We have to be confident. Confidence comes from clarity. If you know where you are going, then what is there to fear? Clarity comes from having a vision and believing in that vision. Look through history for examples of this. You have the early church – such a strong belief in its vision that people were willing to be martyred for it. You have the crusades – again, such a strong belief that people would die for the vision. That’s confidence. I’m not asking anyone to die here, but I am asking you a question – what do you believe in? What is such a core belief of yours, when it comes to this country, that you are willing to stand up in a crowded room and be the only one who voices an opposing view out loud. Would you be willing to do that? Would you be willing to be belittled and criticized and shouted down? In one sense, it’s a different form of dying. It’s your ego and pride dying for something bigger than you. That’s confidence.
So let the conversation begin. What new ideas do you have for our country, your state, your community? Don’t even worry about how feasible they are? Start talking with people about your ideas. What ideas are you passionate about? How do you want to see this country change? Have confidence in your ideas. If you are afraid to share them because you’ll get criticized, then I question how good the idea is. Realize that criticism is a tool to assist you. Listen to the criticism. Listen to who is really being criticized. If someone starts off their criticism with an “I” statement, then the criticism is about them and their beliefs, not about you and your beliefs.
I believe in you. I know you have great ideas. Start shouting them out.
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Comments, compliments or complaints?