It was Freddie Mercury and Queen who asked that question. I remember, so well, hearing that song for the first time and the profound effect the words would have on me.
Is this the world we created
What did we do it for
Is this the world we invaded
Against the law
It was at that point I realized I had a responsibility to do whatever I could to protect the world around me. I became a vegetarian, started recycling like a madman, wrote a song about saving whales…
Eventually, with a tragic nod to my own soul, it dawned on me that one man fighting against an entire system of corruption could do little good.
What exactly do I mean? It’s quite simple, actually. Those in charge of caring for the planet and its inhabitants don’t really care about anything but their jobs and their power. When you have a system of power in place that, by nature, is polarized, said system will never get anything done. Instead of using their power to protect and do good, they’d rather use that power against one another in a pissing contest to prove who has the bigger manhood.
This circus doesn’t end with the environment. Oh no, it extends into effecting human rights. It took those in power decades to end, of all things, slavery. Women? Yeah, eventually they enjoyed the right to vote. Gays? Sure…they’ll get the chance to marry — some day. The poor? Well, let’s talk about the poor…
Our country is supposed to be set up such that even the little man can succeed. Thing is, however, that the government really only backs the big corporation; and they do everything they can to ensure the success of big money. Why? Because big money buys big votes. Yeah, that’s right, I said it. Look at the big pharmaceutical companies and how they control the on/off switch of those in power. Let’s get conspiratorial for a moment. How many of you think there are actual cures for diseases waiting in the wings, only to be left in the dark so big pharma’s pockets can continue to be lined with gold by selling medicine that only treats the symptoms…not the disease?
And just how is it that the FDA has continued to allow GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, and aspartame to pollute our bodies? And why is it, exactly, that it costs so much more to eat healthy than it does to shovel crap down your gullet? Shouldn’t the government step in and do something about this?
You see — the government isn’t there to protect us. The governments primary task is to defend their jobs, piss off the guys in the other party, and ensure that it takes forever to get anything done. What do we do? We lay down and take it. Is there anything we can do? I’d like to think so; but I’m thinking that might be a pipe dream at this point. What do you think? Is it too late to stand up and say We’ve had enough? Let’s discuss this. Who knows, a single conversation sparked on a writer’s blog could be the butterfly wings that cause the ripple to effect the greatest change we’ve seen in a long time.
In the meantime, enjoy the song that started this thought process.
Follow
Email Post