You say you want a revolution
Published in the Boulder Daily Camera, 10/21/15
God bless Bernie Sanders for his bravery in calling for a "revolution" in American politics during the Democratic debate last week. The principle that Americans should rise up and demand radical change from those who govern us when we lose faith in their principles, ethics, and independence is as old as our nation itself. Take the 20th century revolutions led by Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Both led to earthshaking changes in the contract between the people and our government that have transformed American lives in fundamental ways.
The Beatles cemented the principle that "revolutions are OK" into the hearts of Baby Boomers with their thought-provoking song "Revolution." I'm confident that we Boomers have done our job by empowering our children with the certainty that they, too, can revolt against the status quo. When Bernie played the revolution card during the Democratic debate, he was conjuring not just the spirits of our founding fathers but also the heart of rock and roll. Powerful stuff.
While I probably don't agree with Sen. Sanders on the specifics of what belongs in today's revolution, Bernie gets a standing ovation for speaking truth to power about what we want — real change in the contract between the governed and those who govern.
AdvertisementHowever, let's not forget that revolutions can take place at all levels of government. Sure, it's more fun to plot the overthrow of the Great and Mighty United States of America but, as Bernie pointed out, that's our job next November.
Today, there appears to be a revolution already underway in our lovely town. Anyone watching the public response to Boulder city government actions over the past few years knows that we are ripe for big changes. We already have the prerequisite outrage seen in the iconic "How to start a revolution" lesson taught in the 1976 movie, "Network." In one of the most compelling scenes in American cinematic history, news anchor Howard Beale delivers a rousing speech listing the failings of those in power and calling on all people to go to their windows, stick their heads out, and shout, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Judging from the content of the Camera editorial pages in recent months, our heads are already out the windows and we are shouting pretty much these words loudly and often.
No wonder. We live in a town where people want good jobs and affordable housing, seek active and healthy lifestyles, and are committed to environmental preservation. What's been on the plate of Boulder City Council over the past few years? We have City Council members like Lisa Morzel who, when asked the question, "Do you think there are enough companies and jobs already in Boulder?" replied, "Yes, to some extent." We have a City Council that builds walls of red tape limiting residential homebuilding while preserving coal sheds — actions that ensure that housing prices will continue to rise. We have a City Council that works foolishly to right-size while aggressively limiting recreational access to open space that we all voted and paid for on the promise of public use, not just preservation. And, we have a City Council whose idea of environmental stewardship is to engage in a years-long court fight to take over a century-old electrical distribution system
We should be as mad as hell and we should not take it anymore.
Don't be confused by the well intentioned but false prophets promoting charter amendments 300 and 301. These come from many of the same people that have held power in Boulder for decades. Their goal is not revolution but the opposite — they want to cement the status quo by making further change impossible. Furthermore, amendment 300 is designed to empower small groups of people to stop changes deemed by our government to be good for the community at large. When small bands of people are able to dismiss the will of government and make their own rules we usually call it "anarchy." Revolutions driven by discontent with those in power who choose anarchy as a solution don't usually turn out well.
No, American revolutions begin by electing leaders that are different. If we want a revolution, we change the people who govern. Start by kicking out the incumbents and not electing their cronies. If you don't have the energy or time to do the research, the Daily Camera endorsements reflect revolutionary zeal and will give us real change. Electing new leaders is where it all begins and the time is now
You say you want a revolution? We all want to change the world, but revolutions start with local action. The 2015 election ballots are out and the revolution begins with a ballot, a pen, and a few minutes of your time.
Email: [email protected]. Ron recommends that you indulge yourself in a moment of revolutionary fervor by watching the YouTube clip from the movie referenced above at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q
God bless Bernie Sanders for his bravery in calling for a "revolution" in American politics during the Democratic debate last week. The principle that Americans should rise up and demand radical change from those who govern us when we lose faith in their principles, ethics, and independence is as old as our nation itself. Take the 20th century revolutions led by Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. Both led to earthshaking changes in the contract between the people and our government that have transformed American lives in fundamental ways.
The Beatles cemented the principle that "revolutions are OK" into the hearts of Baby Boomers with their thought-provoking song "Revolution." I'm confident that we Boomers have done our job by empowering our children with the certainty that they, too, can revolt against the status quo. When Bernie played the revolution card during the Democratic debate, he was conjuring not just the spirits of our founding fathers but also the heart of rock and roll. Powerful stuff.
While I probably don't agree with Sen. Sanders on the specifics of what belongs in today's revolution, Bernie gets a standing ovation for speaking truth to power about what we want — real change in the contract between the governed and those who govern.
AdvertisementHowever, let's not forget that revolutions can take place at all levels of government. Sure, it's more fun to plot the overthrow of the Great and Mighty United States of America but, as Bernie pointed out, that's our job next November.
Today, there appears to be a revolution already underway in our lovely town. Anyone watching the public response to Boulder city government actions over the past few years knows that we are ripe for big changes. We already have the prerequisite outrage seen in the iconic "How to start a revolution" lesson taught in the 1976 movie, "Network." In one of the most compelling scenes in American cinematic history, news anchor Howard Beale delivers a rousing speech listing the failings of those in power and calling on all people to go to their windows, stick their heads out, and shout, "I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Judging from the content of the Camera editorial pages in recent months, our heads are already out the windows and we are shouting pretty much these words loudly and often.
No wonder. We live in a town where people want good jobs and affordable housing, seek active and healthy lifestyles, and are committed to environmental preservation. What's been on the plate of Boulder City Council over the past few years? We have City Council members like Lisa Morzel who, when asked the question, "Do you think there are enough companies and jobs already in Boulder?" replied, "Yes, to some extent." We have a City Council that builds walls of red tape limiting residential homebuilding while preserving coal sheds — actions that ensure that housing prices will continue to rise. We have a City Council that works foolishly to right-size while aggressively limiting recreational access to open space that we all voted and paid for on the promise of public use, not just preservation. And, we have a City Council whose idea of environmental stewardship is to engage in a years-long court fight to take over a century-old electrical distribution system
We should be as mad as hell and we should not take it anymore.
Don't be confused by the well intentioned but false prophets promoting charter amendments 300 and 301. These come from many of the same people that have held power in Boulder for decades. Their goal is not revolution but the opposite — they want to cement the status quo by making further change impossible. Furthermore, amendment 300 is designed to empower small groups of people to stop changes deemed by our government to be good for the community at large. When small bands of people are able to dismiss the will of government and make their own rules we usually call it "anarchy." Revolutions driven by discontent with those in power who choose anarchy as a solution don't usually turn out well.
No, American revolutions begin by electing leaders that are different. If we want a revolution, we change the people who govern. Start by kicking out the incumbents and not electing their cronies. If you don't have the energy or time to do the research, the Daily Camera endorsements reflect revolutionary zeal and will give us real change. Electing new leaders is where it all begins and the time is now
You say you want a revolution? We all want to change the world, but revolutions start with local action. The 2015 election ballots are out and the revolution begins with a ballot, a pen, and a few minutes of your time.
Email: [email protected]. Ron recommends that you indulge yourself in a moment of revolutionary fervor by watching the YouTube clip from the movie referenced above at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_qgVn-Op7Q
