DEMOCRACY ISN’T A SPECTATOR SPORT — THIS IS YOUR AHA! MOMENT
America, We Are The Guardrails
We’re running out of time to fix this shit show!
With an old, worn T-shirt from vacation Bible school wrapped tightly around his index and middle fingers, he applied a small amount of motor oil to the fabric and gently rubbed it onto the muzzle.
A crooked smile spread over his face as he laid the long gun on his knees, reached over, tapped a few lines on the keyboard, and then pushed it away with a confident wink at his reflection on the screen.
The final image he chose for his Instagram profile was uploaded just moments ago, and it is very different from the one looking back at him now.
No other member in his group chat believed he’d go through with it.
Using Snapchat filters, he tanned his skin, hid the bully-inflicted scars above his left eye and cheek, removed the lines left by erasing his glasses, and blurred the view behind him so that no one could see the ceiling-sagging shack he shared with his grandmother.
Every detail of the photograph was strategic, from how he clutched his AR-15 with an angry pout to his shirtless profile.
Plotting the virtual breadcrumbs for the Internet sleuths captivated his imagination almost as much as the rifle on his knees.
He scrutinized the checklist one last time as he massaged the metal with long, deliberate strokes.
Profile complete; check.
Manifesto, complete, uploaded, and printed (for LEOs); check.
His seventh-grade English teacher would appreciate how much time he spent checking his grammar and punctuation. She was the only grown-up who saw beyond the angry boy with dirty fingernails to the child who only needed someone to notice him.
Ammo; check.
He had topped off his gas tank the night before; check.
Target destination scoped out —
During his job interview yesterday, he received a complete walkthrough from Aimee, the manager. While she chatted on endlessly about her love life, it allowed him time to study every exit and to identify a few good hiding spots, should he need them.
Exit blockers will ensure no one makes it out alive; check.
His heart skipped a beat as he kicked a box full of heavy chains and eight nickel-plated industrial padlocks the size of his hand.
They’ll never forget me now.
Check!
CHECK!
He’s loaded his car with an AR-15 and enough ammo to blow Tybee Island off the map. As he closes the trunk, he looks around at his grandmother’s home; all he won’t see again—no matter how this ends.
Slowly, he backs his car out of the driveway and turns left.
Where is he going?
…
…
…
Is he heading to the auditorium where your daughter and a busload of seventh-graders are headed for a field trip?
The crowded mall’s food court where your son works on the weekend?
Or the grocery store where your mom is on her way for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread?
This scenario plays out every day in towns across our country. We can’t go to school, the grocery store, or a parade without being the target of someone else’s brokenness.
In this scenario, there are many chances to alter the outcome— the ending is not inevitable — it’s intentional.
Hurt people, hurt people!
People are hurting — instead of solutions, they’re given more reasons to be angry and unlimited access to guns.
At the same time, the media and lawmakers exploit and blame the people for the damage caused by the guns (or they blame doors) and then fundraise off the insanity they create while families plan funerals for fourth-graders killed in class.
It’s a no-brainer; more weapons flooding the streets mean more gun violence. As a result, we are so distracted by dodging bullets that we lose sight of who is actually responsible.
Common sense gun control is the solution— but the most important factor missing in the “common sense gun control solution” is preventing lawmakers from benefiting financially from the gun industry.
It really is that simple.
Like a sledgehammer slamming into a dandelion, gun violence destroys everything it touches.
The mass murder in Uvalde, Texas, was an indicator of what is coming to every town in America unless we must hold lawmakers and corporations accountable — or else we’re just here to pay the bills and the human cost.
The Republican Shit Show— It‘s Intentional, NOT Inevitable!
A system owned by ignorant oligarchs is deliberately abusing us — with more money than good sense and a blatant disregard for human life — who have forgotten — in America, this is a Democracy of The People, for The People, and by The People.
There is only one reason this scenario plays out daily with nothing done to stop it…
MONEY
GOBS OF MONEY! Dark Money. Unreported money. Perks, the likes you and I couldn’t imagine in our wildest dreams.
Bribery is defined as the act of buying power, whereas lobbying is the act of influencing power through contributions.
Do you see a difference? Me neither!
Bribery, by any other name, smells just as bad for the people paying the human cost.
With our current system, the only possible penalty for the harm politicians and legislators cause to our communities is MAYBE they won’t be reelected…
MAYBE!
Maybe — is just not enough!
For decades, we have gotten the same shithole politicians because they have the little word “incumbent” beside their names.
“Consequences” (surrounded by big, exaggerated air quotes) at the ballot box have proven completely impudent in protecting our communities or holding corporations and lawmakers accountable for the long-term harm to our lives.
Democracy sold out to corporate greed by the lawmakers
The NRA and the gun industry’s influence on Congress is just one horrific example of what is fracturing our democracy.
Politicians have sold out the very value of our democracy in exchange for power and profit paid for by corporations.
Democracy is defined as a government of the people, for the people, and by the people — those aren’t target instructions.
The people are the cure for corporations, legislators, and mainstream media’s inability to answer for their actions.
Global corporate corruption is more than some vague victimless white-collar crime that doesn’t appear to affect you; corporate corruption is a worldwide criminal crisis in which the fossil fuel industry funds Putin’s unjust war in Ukraine, invests heavily in destroying democracy in America and abroad — while systematically destroying our planet; touching every aspect of your life — including right down to the quality of the water you drink.
Legislators sold us out to corporate power and influence.
People are being targeted; rights were stolen; our laws and norms — our guardrails, are being targeted for profit and power —
Media manipulation keeps us angry and confused, so We, The People, never enjoy the benefits of power and money, and in most cases, it seems impossible to keep up with who is to blame —
Lawmakers want us to believe it’s always someone else’s fault.
Who is responsible?
“Political Fuckery” is the perfect explanation for the trifecta of bullshit happening in our country and world.
Some people don’t care for the f* bomb, I apologize, but the political stunts deserve the most suitable terminology for the situation, and “political fuckery” fits flawlessly.
The People have been reduced to collateral damage by greedy, power-hungry, and corrupt politicians and corporations.
We, The People, Are Not Disposable — We Are The Solution
Only through corporate accountability can we begin to defend democracy, protect the planet, attain true Civil Rights, implement sensible gun control, safeguard our voting rights, protect women’s rights, protect reproductive rights, and protect our clean drinking water.
It is essential that businesses are held to high standards of ethical conduct and are accountable for the impact of their actions on society and the environment.
We, the People, are the most intelligent, resilient, and resourceful resource on the planet, and we don’t have to take it anymore!
What can WE do about it?
Greta Thunberg, Sweden’s young climate activist and Time Magazine’s 2019 Person of The Year, has much to teach us.
The media attacks Greta because her message makes them uncomfortable about doing nothing to save the planet.
Greta has shined a blinding light on our climate crisis while pointing out that the media could do more to hold politicians and corporations accountable.
This unassuming young girl has presented us with a solution.
“For hope begins when we open our eyes and swap the impotence of words for the power of collective action.” Greta Thurnberg
The solution is simple.
We need each other; check!
We need to unite; check!
Make it simple, fun, and inclusive; it’s time we build a coalition of citizens, which begins here; check!
We Are the Guardrails!
We have all the answers; it’s time to come together and fix this shit show! Remember, mainstream media doesn’t want solutions; they want clicks and views.
We will only see true progress when we stop talking about it and do it —
A solution is easy; the work lies in putting the solution into action.
The system is broken.
“We are the guardrails” is a powerful statement that reminds us of our collective responsibility to defend democracy and hold corporations accountable.
Step one, Unite!
I thought I couldn’t make a difference because I was too small. — Greta Thunberg
Greta thought she was too small to make a difference, and now she’s leading the conversation with global leaders worldwide!
We need you!
It’s easy to feel small when confronting climate crisis, fears of losing democracy, and feeling targeted by your government, but like Greta, we can make a difference too.
When we stand together — we can be the superpower our world has been waiting for all along!
We Are The Guardrails!
We need someone to help end this shit show, and you are that person!
Kimberlee Jakobe publishes We Are The Guardrails on Medium; follow her here and get each post in your email–and if you’re not a Medium member, you can join here.
Political ignorance is no longer an option.