What does it mean to be an American citizen? Internationally, there's a series of tests and requirements one must pass to become one. Legally, if you are born here you are a citizen, but what does it mean?
Most obviously, an American citizen is distinguished by the outward embodiment of American values. These values are changing, and there is no set list, but a summary of the creation and evolution of our society is below.
American values are deeply rooted in individualism and expression. Both of these give way to a premium placed on privacy. From our safe havens of privacy to live how we want, we strive for equality, progress, and achievement. These coalesce into American exceptionalism, a term coined by Michael Walzer, which is the idea that America is the greatest and therefore looks out for the interests of all. It’s the idea that the U.S. embodies the goodness of humanity, and as a country, is a moral example for all.
Somehow, still, Aaron Sorkin's brilliant tirade on "Why America Isn't the Greatest Country in the World," presented by Will McAvoy in the HBO show, "The Newsroom," is being shared on social media. This video is poignant in examining the failures of American society, and sums up the reasons for the systematic downfall as a result of a public that is uninformed.
The video does an excellent job addressing a contemporary issue in American society (not just the political spectrum), but does little to aid the viewer in direction on how to change this vicious cycle. Although there is a necessity in society to identify problems, masses of adults sharing this nearly four year old video on Facebook isn't exactly a robust solution to an ongoing and growing problem.
The continuing problem is as simple as a single sentence: the issue is not information, it's the people. Society has devolved from information seekers to information receivers. Even now, rather than articulate personal political thoughts, we'd rather share posts on Facebook. Rather than check Sorkin's tirade for bias or factual accuracy, we share it as a summary of our nation's current state.
Rather than write or call our congressmen about abolishing the electoral college, ending endless senator term limits, stopping gerrymandering, prioritizing government budget to allocate resources for education, eradicating tenure for weathered politicians, dissolution of big business lobbying, restructuring tax codes, redistribution of surplus resources, reallocation of mismanaged lands, killing ties between church and state, and forever redefining the meaning of transparency... we'd rather complain.
Yes, it's easier to share a video. It's easier to talk to your friend about all the things you don't agree with. But, the system we have in place only works if we use it.
If you think the Constitution was written in an era without internet and the electoral college gives too much power to small bodies or smaller states and favor a majority vote system, write your congressman.
If you think senility is an issue in current legislative battles and want to establish term limits, tell your congressman.
Reveal to him about how re-drawing district lines to stay in power is the exact kind of governmental behavior you don't like.
Explain to him about how the faults our generation is experiencing is a result of our preparation of future generations, and education is key in combating that.
Demonstrate to him that paying for the livelihood of dead beat legislators isn't effective in filtering the field for the most effectual political servants.
Show him how lobbying has, and will continue to, plague American society especially in the economic sector.
Explicate to him how the U.S. being a tax haven for foreign companies but tough on businesses and citizens isn't beneficial to us.
Display to him how the redistribution of surplus resources such as water, food, and clothing would end societal need for a lot of different social institutions.
Exhibit to him how reallocating land to the people keeps us happy (especially in the case of the oil fields in North Dakota, river basins in Oregon, border ranches along the Southern edge, plains in the Midwest for natives, etc.), and represents the ideals America serves.
Reveal to him how the separation of church and state has been a sought after, but not achieved goal for centuries (looking at you, tax breaks).
Materialize for him evidence that the government hasn't lived up to your expectations in transparency (The Family Jewels and Snowden's Revelations are a mere beginning).
I don't mean to push a political agenda. I intend to summarize a lot of the aforementioned complaining I've heard from friends, teammates, and colleagues above. They are ideas to move forward as a society with more real results than just wasting your breath.
Perhaps my acquaintances are the uninformed McAvoy mentioned from your perspective. Perhaps your political viewpoint is uninformed from their perspective of yours. Perhaps neither of you are exact in your intent or understanding of a given issue. However, any of the situations above can be relieved by action. Neither use my words or follow my pattern. Articulate your own thoughts, research them for relevant support, and present it to someone who might actually do something about it.
Ultimately, we have moved from a society of doers, to a society that won't pay their dues. American citizenship 101: inform yourself, act on your own behalf, protect your neighbor, and don't drink the kool-aid -- chances are it's not innocuous.
