American Complicity: Why Are We The People Forgetting That We Have The Power?
I haven’t written with this much contempt lately, but I am annoyed at the greater American population. My frustration comes at how easily the people forget that the power lies directly within them.
From the economy to the politicians we vote for, at any time, when we are done, we the people can make that change.
It really is that simple.
Capitalism gets blamed for everything. The idea is that if everything is profit driven, then true fairness, freedom and equality cannot fully be reached because at the end of the day, it is all about the money.
And yes, that is true to a point.
Most corporations and businesses are for profit, private entities. They are trying to make as much money as possible while spending as little as possible. That is not some hidden secret. That is the business model of every business.
But what we keep forgetting is that those same corporations need us.
They need our money. They need our attention. They need our clicks. They need our subscriptions. They need our labor. They need our loyalty.
Without us, they do not have power. That is the part, we, as Americans seem to have forgotten.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott showed this country exactly what happens when people understand the power of their dollar. During the Civil Rights Movement, Black Americans organized, they sacrificed, and most importantly they stopped giving money to a system that was disrespecting them.
Why?
Because money talks. And when the people stop spending, corporations and systems start listening.
If Americans truly wanted to send a message about gas prices, groceries, streaming platforms, airlines, fast food, or any other industry squeezing people dry, the people could do it. If even a major portion of Americans stopped buying from one industry for a day or two, these companies would notice quickly.
It is supply and demand. No demand, lower prices. High demand, higher prices.
But the problem is, we the people will not stop.
We complain, but we keep buying. We get angry, but we keep scrolling. We say we are tired, but we keep feeding the same systems that are draining us.
That is American complicitness.
The power is our vote, and that is why administrations like Trump’s have worked so hard to weaken it, question it, restrict it, redistrict it, and dismantle it for Black voters.
The power is also our dollar, and that is why billion dollar corporations spend so much money trying to control what we watch, what we buy, what we believe and what we fear.
I think the American people are distracted. Distracted by culture wars. Distracted by addictive phones. Distracted by outrage. Distracted by everything except the actual truth of this country.
The people are the power.
Not one president. Not one billionaire. Not one corporation. Not one political party.
Our government was built around the idea that the American people decide how this country works. That does not mean the system is perfect. It never has been. But it does mean the people have tools. We have votes. We have organizing power. We have antitrust laws meant to protect the free market from monopolies and giant mergers. We have elections to remove corrupt politicians. We have the ability to boycott, protest, challenge and change what no longer serves us.
We have seen it done before.
From local officials like Tony Gonzales (R) to past presidents like Richard Nixon, bad leaders can be pushed out when the people decide enough is enough.
But that requires action. It requires commitment and sacrifice. It requires holding our dollars. It requires making time to get to the polls. Which all comes down to, we the people.
The politicians know it. The billionaires know it. The corporations know it. That is why they work so hard to keep people divided, tired and distracted.
They understand the power of the people, but the people need to remember it too.
Until then, good night and good luck.
