Re-Claiming the Trappings of Power

and Remaking Our World

American Flag, Abstract 2 with Trees, Genevieve Esson

SheThinksLiberty recently posted this:

A New Anthem, Perhaps?

The song embedded (also linked below) is great fun and would make a perfect new anthem, in spirit. Though I’d suggest it as a global one in response to our global predators and parasites who are keen on top-down centralized control.

A unifying song about push-back is a good start.

Her post made me smile in part because I had an unfinished draft going on taking back the SOTU address.

The trappings, rituals and traditions of a country are ours. They belong to the people. Really recognizing that is like waking from a deep sleep. We must move out of the grogginess of it, but eventually it’s as clear as the light of a new day.

Governments exist by agreement of the people. At least that was the original claim in the Declaration of Independence.

If we have no faith in the mechanisms of power and their public displays, if they do not serve us or provide meaningful meaning we are free to drop them; kick em to the curb and throw them over.

I’d say the long train we’ve been riding is fueled by abuse. I’d say this ‘train’ is about to go off the proverbial cliff.

Does any citizen still think the SOTU is anything other than political maneuvering and entertainment as theatre? Or that what’s said is a genuine accounting of how we’re doing as a country? Do we believe the account is reliable or includes content we can trust?

Of course not.

News commenters find it meaningful and take it seriously but that’s to keep the illusion going, the powerful continually empowered, and to justify their jobs.

It’s a show.

We know it’s a show. Time to walk out of the theatre.

We have a full-blown inversion of reality playing out and we easily forget we can stop playing. I’m done with giving my time and energy to those in power who use that power for their own advantage. And far worse, who openly use it to abuse those they pretend to serve.

The continued marketing of our government officials as ‘public servants’ (at high levels) is an insult to our intelligence.

There is no other sphere where a servant gets rich on the job, (unless they are stealing) is driven around in private cars and planes - we fund - is difficult to access and impossible to persuade.

It’s time we ignored them into oblivion.

Let’s not participate in the trappings of a hollowed out system anymore.

Here’s a better idea.

Let’s do our own version of State of the Union, where we the people, write and video our own take on how it’s going.

Wouldn’t that be a worthwhile endeavor? We could set aside a full month where citizens - actually on the ground living their lives in this country - inform each other, from every state ideally, on how we’re actually doing.

We’d learn a few things. We’d make some new connections and I’m guessing we might even come up with some solutions that go fully around the long-running show.

What would you write or say if you were reporting on the state of our union?Would you be willing to do that and share it?

Just an idea.

Perhaps we set aside July as the month in this country - where we celebrate our supposed independence - and instead of grilling hot-dogs and burgers, (or in addition to) come to grips with our actual situation.

I’ll post my take on the SOTU in July. If you feel moved to, please amplify the message and consider creating your own. Maybe it’ll catch on and we’ll get some momentum.

It’s time we heard from we-the-people. It’s time we took control of this train.

Thanks for reading.

Buy me a coffee. https://ko-fi.com/kathleen87247 (may have to copy & paste)