When I started this project, it was my objective and still is to keep religion and politics out of it. Even though I am a Christian, I did not want to use this as a platform, nor did I want to use my very liberal views on politics as a soapbox. This project isn’t based on my beliefs. It is based on the truth and how it affects the children, more specifically, the future of humanity. Whether I look at it from a Christian vantage point, Jewish, Buddhist or Muslim, it doesn’t change what needs to happen? Whether I come at it as a staunch Republican or a firm Democrat, it doesn’t change the unfortunate truth about where we have gone and continue to head, not just as a country, but as a world? The upcoming election has brought patriotism once again to center stage, if only global awareness could instead be the theme. Instead of priding myself on being “American”, I take pride in being a global citizen. Instead of dreaming about what I can do for my country, I dream about what I can do for the world.

We are at a critical point where even voting the “right” candidate into office, won’t reverse the wheels that have been put into motion across the globe. We are at a time where we need to stop assuming that someone else has the answers. Instead of criticizing what others aren’t doing, or counting on promises that are being made, we should look at what we are doing as individuals. Sadly it seems, we have lost sight of how important each of us is as a voice, a pair of hands or an advocate for someone less fortunate. We have settled into complacency and a resignation that there is nothing we can do. We tolerate a climate of corporate greed and politics where the two often share the same sheets and drink from the same glass. We surround ourselves with stuff that masks the hopelessness and we busy ourselves with empty pursuits to explain away our indifference. With an election just around the corner, issues that otherwise get lost in the din, are on everyone’s mind. Once Election Day has come and gone, a sadly predictable transition will take place. As the new leader picks up the torch, some will celebrate and relax into a false sense of complacency as if the race has been won, and others will bitch and complain. In either case, the interest, the concern, and the excitement about the potential for change will generally die down as we embark on another 4 year journey where we remain passengers along for the ride. We did our part. We voted. We used our voice and exercised our rights as American’s …for a day. Our job is done, right? Back to work, business as usual. There are jobs to hate, or find, bills to pay or hide from…life goes on. Some of us see the glass as half full; some see it as half empty. Does it matter? How we see it doesn’t change what it is. I say why settle for a glass that is either? Why accept that others, not ourselves determine the level or for that matter what’s in our glass? (more…)