My hand is raised, that's for sure.
You see, I just don't understand.
You can call me naive, but I honestly don't understand why half of humanity is embroiled in conflict, and the other half is hiding under the covers of their comfort zones.
Exhibit #1: I've been informed that the economy is the #1 issue in the presidential campaign now. Well, that makes sense, I suppose; we truly can't function without money, and a sturdy economy is a great pick-me-up for the masses.
But come on!
What about the war? That's a crazy, scary, world-altering issue that needs to be discussed again and again and again, from every angle possible--not just from the mouths of politicians behind debate podiums, but from the hearts of the Iraqi people (it CAN be argued that we've royally screwed them, so we should listen to their POV too).
And what about the shaky situation in Darfur? Uganda? Etc.?
Whether we like it or not, being branded as a high-and-mighty-force-to-be-reckoned- with comes the responsibilty to provide back up for those who can't defend themselves. Tons of Sudanese, for example, as well as tons of Americans, expect the U.S to DO SOMETHING PRODUCTIVE in Darfur.
But no, we haven't talked about that, because we have our economy to worry about.
So, the Israeli/Palestinian peace talks, the whole Olympics/Tibet awkwardness, immigration, education...it's to the back burner with you!
And I don't.get.it.
Being young and not having to worry about taxes and social security and whatnot, I could just have a skewed view of life...but I don't see my view as foolish.
There's a HUGE world out there, bigger than our economy, our possessions, our presidential candidates, our college educations. I think humanity has the potential to do something bloody brilliant, but it also seems like we have the most narrow outlook on the future.
"We can create jobs and save the housing market!" trumpet our candidates.
Great!!
But what about creating hope? Saving lives? Not economic lives, but real, transitory souls being blown to bits by violence that we fail to focus on? Are we not able to widen our worldview!?
It's frustrating.
But what do you think?
Does humanity have the capability to fix things? Or am I really just being impractical when I dream of peace, better schools, a global community, and all the rest? Can we truly, sincerely progress?
I really want to know what you think.
I'm listening.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
