Sometimes, we mere citizens feel useless, and more often than not powerless to have impact on those important things which affect our daily lives. One of the principal reasons for such (and other) feelings is the perception that we can actually DO nothing about them, one way or the other.
We even sometimes admit our ignorance about those things which could have dramatic and lasting impact on us personally, or as community, or even as nation. Many or most of those things which give us these feelings do so because we do at least get a glimmer of understanding that we could feel (either positively or negatively) the impact for a very long time. That can be intimidating, fear-causing--or just plain something (like a really bad tooth pain) we really wish to avoid.
I wonder what the citizens of Kiev are thinking along these lines tonight. Actually, I wonder what the people of Kansas City are thinking about such things as these tonight. Or, to be very specific (because I have friends there, and just because I absolutely LOVE their name), I wonder what my target focus group in Lost Nation, Iowa are thinking about such things at the moment. (Waves at LN,I! Long Live Rustic Days! I love and miss you all!)
There is just such one of those things upon our visible horizon today. At some point during this term (between this second and some point during June, 2014), The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will release its decision in a quite very important legal case, "McCutcheon v. FEC". Many American citizens are hoping vehemently that this case is affirmed. At least an equal number of citizens in our land are hoping against hope that the Justices will overturn this decision.
You can certainly do a search on the style caption of this important case and learn why so many think their view should be reflected in the decision of the Justices. A lot is at stake here. Some, myself included would tell you that democracy itself is at stake here. That's because it is. Surely at a minimum, by any fundamental basic definition of OUR democracy, democracy is at stake here. Affirming the case would change that definition. Overturning the lower court could preserve that definition. Those are the stakes.
How can you, or I possibly do anything about that? Well, follow me just below the squggledoodlethingey fold, and I'll tell you.
Which is, for you, the more unsettling proposition? Is it the possibilities the SCOTUS decision hold for democracy? Or, is it the possibility that you could do something about that decision, regardless of the outcome of the case?
No, I promise. This is a real question which should, on its face, demand a real answer from each of us. It is by no means the only such question this case could generate, but it is, by any reasonable examination, a first, fundamental question for citizen.
Because of the structure of the third branch of our government, and thereby our national governance, there truly is nothing we can do at this point to influence the outcome of the decision of the court's nine Justices. But that is how we have chosen, as a people and national community, to be governed. We codified that choice and made it a part of our founding and guiding documents. It is, to be blunt, a "done deal".
Throughout the course of our national history, SCOTUS has issued many completely mundane decisions, as any Justice of that august body would quickly admit. Yet, and sometimes even especially those mundane decisions have altered our national course. Students of the Law, and especially Constitutional Law can clip off a litany of significant decisions of the Court which have changed our national landscape. Even non-student citizens have a list of cases which they basically understand to have informed our national course.
One of those cases has been "Citizens United v. FEC". Most citizens could not clearly or simply explain the nature of the case which would eventually require the informed decision of the Supreme Court. They can, however tell you what the effective outcome of that seemingly "mundane" case of corporate legitimacy has been upon the country, especially as the decision has dramatically affected our electoral politics since the decision was announced.
In short, "McCutcheon" would expand the results of "Citizens United" in a very large, very dramatic, and extremely consequential way.
How can you, or I as citizen do anything about that?
It depends upon the perspective you have on the decision, and your role in it. What I want to vehemently offer is an alternative from the view of the citizen. Focus on that. Consider Kiev, or Kansas City, or Lost Nation, Iowa. Consider your own community--where you live.
Consider the impact citizen might have, if not in the decision of the Court, at least in the impact of the outcome of the decision of the Court. It will require a decision on your part. But the joyous truth is that the decision you make can be made by the greatest power within the United States of America: the power of the decision of citizen.
Money in politics is, for many citizens, just too big, too powerful to overcome. Perhaps that is the truth. But, perhaps it is NOT the truth. Perhaps. How about we, as citizen put that theory to the test of real truth. Is that even possible, regardless of outcome of the Court?
Yes, it is very much more than possible. It is happening--today. You are invited.
Several national grassroots organizations have created the question that puts this idea to the test in a way only a real citizen would love. The reason is because your decision can be yours regardless of the outcome of the Court. It is a very real opportunity to exercise the most powerful voice in America, and perhaps even the world.
Here's the deal.
The voice of millions of citizens is overwhelming; in fact, it is the one power most organized political regimes fear the most. This opportunity does not require your voice, however. No yelling, or screaming. No protest marches, sit-ins, or taking over public / private / corporate or governmental property. So what, you might rightly inquire, IS required?
Your presence, and preferably your silence. All you have to do is show up. Simple. Almost. All you have to do is to commit to show up at a specific time to a specific public place for about an hour.
The date? The day the SCOTUS decision in "McCutcheon" is announced by the Court.
The time? To be determined, potentially by you! One to two hours has been the norm for this event as it has developed.
The place? To be determined, potentially by you. The only groundrules are that the place chosen must be a public place, and the event must entirely occur outdoors.
The participants? Anyone who would self-identify as a citizen of the United States of America.
The theory tested? Is it possible for citizens to gather together in the same place at the same time, and simply exist in a civil manner for some pre-determined length of time?
Anticipated Outcome?
Some very powerful forces in America will notice that citizen has shown up on the scene. By their presence, citizen as elector will serve notice to the elected that we are here, and completely prepared to hold our electeds personally and collectively accountable for their action/inaction on behalf of those they were elected to represent and serve. Citizen will speak, through civil discourse in the public square and thereby disprove the belief by the electeds that only they, and their agenda matters.
All it takes is for citizen to show up, and share space together in a civil manner for somewhere between 60-120 minutes on the very day that the SCOTUS releases it's decision in "McCutcheon".
You can join, or even create an event for the community where you live. Over 7,000,000 American citizens have at least indicated their willingness to participate in this experiment by citizen, as citizen. The difference with this whole thing is that it only works if YOU show up. Do I even need to tell you how awesome it would be if you would make sure someone you know were to show up with you?
To find out where the gathering closest to you is going to be, just go here and enter your zip code.
There is a pretty reasonable chance that a gathering of citizens is going to happen where or near where you live. If the group you find is not in your community, or too far away, or at the wrong time...create one.
There is a powerful cadre of resources and other citizens at the ready to help you make it easy for yourself, your friends and your community to participate as citizen. You can sign up to attend. You can even sign up to organize a local gathering.
The bet many powerful identities are placing is that citizen will not show up. That is an already demonstrated truth. Of course, just in case, there are many communities who are attempting to make certain, just in case of course, that you are not able to gather. You knowk, just in case.
Show up. Show off. You don't have to do anything, or say anything. Silence can be deafening, you know. Just show up, and share a few civil moments in the same space as your fellow citizen for a little bit of time. You may well learn some things you never knew before. You may see people you work or worship with. There's no age limit. Bring your child, and help them learn an important lesson: basic citizenship. (You surely could be proud of teaching someone that particular lesson!) Teachers could actually (Yep, it's in there!) build an entire lesson or lesson series around such a moment.
Is that too much to ask? It's not for me and this citizen will be there. I really hope that many of my fellow citizens will show up. I hope many of my fellow citizens will even choose to organize a gathering where they live. I know electoral candidates are being evaluated by their willingness to participate in this activity. If you wish to lead, it is really a new idea (or a very old idea renewed) but you are declaring your intention to lead your fellow citizen. Citizen is going to let you know they hear you, and understand what you state as your intent. They will be deciding on your validity based upon what you do. Here is a superb opportunity to let them see your willingness to actually serve.
This is a test, but it is only a test. I hope that you, as citizen, will accept more than the challenge. I hope you will cling desperately to the opportunity to do something about it.
I keep thinking of all those people who do not have such an opportunity. I keep thinking of how they would feel if they did. I keep thinking of what they would do with just such an opportunity. I just keep thinking.
Really, I do.