On January 6th, 2021, thousands gathered at our nation’s capitol to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election. In an act of defiance, citizens stormed the U.S. Capitol building to disrupt the 117th Congress. More disturbing than the chaos, looting, and violence was the reaction of people on social media. It was as if I was watching my age group suckle at the teet of CNN, gulping down every ounce of shitty political rhetoric and vomiting it all over my feed. For 48 hours, my newsfeed was one big circle jerk declaring the actions at the capitol as a direct attack on our democracy, how it was disgusting, blah blah blah.
Let’s get controversial. The siege on the U.S. Capitol was not bad, their reasoning was bad. Before you rush to clamber onto the moral high ground and proceed to misrepresent my words, tell your preconceived notions to shut the fuck up and read. Storming the capitol because your “team” didn’t win is stupid. That kind of behavior is the outcome of simple-minded people with misplaced anger and a poor leader. I do not advocate for that kind of uprising.
A greater reason to storm the capitol and disrupt Congress is to strike fear into the hearts of our politicians. While millions of Americans suffered from authoritarian decrees during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of government sat back comfortably and continued getting paid. Keep in mind: we are the constituents of our elected officials. When they cease to represent the people and our best interests, they must be reminded that they are public servants paid for by OUR tax dollars. Instead, career politicians have lined their pockets defending corporate interests on our dime for decades. Then, they placate us with a $1200 check and expect everything to be fine and dandy.
A siege on the capitol should’ve taken place months ago when our governments deliberately attempted to alienate the unalienable rights prescribed by our Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers started a revolution because a governing entity impeded their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This style of governing fostered a ‘Step in line or get stepped on’ attitude and was met with just consequences, as seen in the American Revolution. Anyone infringing on those rights is your enemy; for the past 12 months, Big Daddy government has restricted the people’s freedoms by shutting down businesses, financially punishing resistance with ridiculous fines, and “mandates” to ensure compliance. Incompetent authoritarian leaders like California’s Gavin Newsom have treated the public as though we are incompetent, taking unwarranted power and wielding it without consequence. As a result, many Californians have lost their jobs, businesses, homes, and financial ability to survive. It’s hard to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness when your abilities to do so are wrongfully stripped from you.
Politicians like Gavin Newsom, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell among others should be made well aware of whom they are beholden to: us, the American people. Tucked away in their mansions, walled-off compounds, and government offices, they do not fear their constituents because they believe they are safely out of reach. Public servants operating in this manner are in need of a healthy reminder of what their role is and should be subjected to consequences if and when they stray. I have no issue with citizens occupying publicly-funded government buildings to send leaders and representatives a message. I’m not in favor of getting medieval on their ass and guillotining politicians in the street like the French did to Louis XVI, but I am in support of ousting representatives that are not representing public interest.
I’m not advocating for violence, but I am advocating for a radical shift in the public mind. I want our political leaders to be held accountable for the damage they’ve caused to the people they are meant to represent. None of them know what is best for you or me, nor will they ever. I want people to arrive at their own nuanced conclusions rather than willingly accept a narrative presented to them by media outlets and their peers alike. Individually, we retain jurisdiction over ourselves and the power to act accordingly. Collectively, we hold the power to generate positive change for the betterment of our society.
United we stand, divided we fall.
Read my mind. 