Please remember that you are choosing to read my opinions.

You probably sometimes wonder why certain countries (perhaps the one you are living in) aren't changing rules, regulations, policies, laws, etc that are adversely effecting itself, and/or a significant portion of their citizens, and I don't blame you. Sometimes I wonder the same things. The answer that I came up with isn't probably what you think it is, especially if you believe that the world is just unfair like that and we should all just learn to deal with it.

No, what I came up with is that it works for people or organizations with power and influence. For example, the health care system is, perhaps, lousy because of the interests of insurance and pharmaceutical companies. The only thing that you and I (in the United States) can do about changing problems is complain through official channels, like writing your congressman.

Some people like to think that the ability to vote in the United States makes it a representative government, and it some ways it does. The sad fact is that it is mostly representative of those who are or are already connected to the powerful and influential, or in some way share their interests.

I'm not saying that our vote in the US isn't important, though. It still allows us to pick the lesser of evils, and occasionally we'll elect someone who actually means what they say and don't have ulterior motives. But unlike some countries, there is little that we, the people, can do once we vote. There is no formal process to petition for changes, like impeachment of officials or change in laws. I suppose that is just one more thing to keep in mind when you support a candidate for office. Just what are their motives? Who is supporting them? Do those that support them share my interests? Are the benevolent or malevolent?

If something is to change, it must be in the interest of the influential, the powerful, and the rich. The sad fact is that we are part of a modern day oligarchy, where power is hidden among elite groups, moved by organization's lobbying efforts rather than the will of people. If we really wanted to get things a' changin', we would demand a direct injection of the will of the people into the fundament of our government. This radical change in government would never happen of course. You know why?

Yes, we are back at the beginning.