RE: Troubled – "trodden under the foot of men"

[Anonymous]

jamison wrote:

What about social injustice by an overreaching corporation, or an oppressive government that does not care for its people, and goes against their wills for its own ends.

For those specifically living in the USA (but certainly not exclusive to them): Who are this “oppressive” government that does not care for its people? It is US. We are the government. It is made up of people just like us, from all walks of life, creeds, ideas, beliefs and experiences. When I thought government was not doing enough in my area, I ran for office and got elected. I then became part of the “oppressive government” to try to do what I could to improve the condition of my fellow citizens. It is amazing how many people will gripe about what they see is wrong, but few step up and offer reliable, realistic ideas for how to make it better.

If you are really dissatisfied, run for office. Get elected. Put your ideas forward. Or, if you don’t get elected, continue to have your voice heard as part of the public discourse. In a democratic society, sometimes your voice carries and change results. Sometimes, it doesn’t. What happens isn’t always because it is by nature the RIGHT and most perfect thing possible. It is based on the WILL OF THE PEOPLE (whatever that is at the time). If enough people aren’t as upset about something as you, you can persist in saying “everyone else is wrong” or you can consider where you might be in some error in the way you see or feel about things. This leads to growth if we are brave enough to consider it. I think that is the hardest and least-often used method of dealing with dissonance (not just religious/cognitive), but may ultimately bear the most fruit in the greater scheme of things, starting with us as an individual.

[Anonymous]

wjclerk wrote:

jamison wrote:

What about social injustice by an overreaching corporation, or an oppressive government that does not care for its people, and goes against their wills for its own ends.

For those specifically living in the USA (but certainly not exclusive to them): Who are this “oppressive” government that does not care for its people? It is US. We are the government. It is made up of people just like us, from all walks of life, creeds, ideas, beliefs and experiences. When I thought government was not doing enough in my area, I ran for office and got elected. I then became part of the “oppressive government” to try to do what I could to improve the condition of my fellow citizens. It is amazing how many people will gripe about what they see is wrong, but few step up and offer reliable, realistic ideas for how to make it better.

If you are really dissatisfied, run for office. Get elected. Put your ideas forward. Or, if you don’t get elected, continue to have your voice heard as part of the public discourse. In a democratic society, sometimes your voice carries and change results. Sometimes, it doesn’t. What happens isn’t always because it is by nature the RIGHT and most perfect thing possible. It is based on the WILL OF THE PEOPLE (whatever that is at the time). If enough people aren’t as upset about something as you, you can persist in saying “everyone else is wrong” or you can consider where you might be in some error in the way you see or feel about things. This leads to growth if we are brave enough to consider it. I think that is the hardest and least-often used method of dealing with dissonance (not just religious/cognitive), but may ultimately bear the most fruit in the greater scheme of things, starting with us as an individual.

Here, here! (pounding my shoe on the podium…)

[Author]

Posts