Power to the people

imgres-2No matter if you are a fan of Bernie or Trump or are puzzled over Brexit there is something else there.  Many people might be voting based on ad campaigns being pushed at them which they believe to be the truth (unfortunate but true) and others are frustrated by their Governments disconnect between people’s needs (jobs, aid, healthcare, education), rapid change due to technology and lack of leadership (constant fighting between parties that goes nowhere).

Brexit was a wake-up call for everyone and particularly the youth.  You have to participate in voting to allow your voice to be heard.  You actually do have the ability to start a movement and gather signatures to get something voted on.  Brexit got on the ballot with many not sure what the long tail of this would be because it appears there wasn’t a plan for it but just anger provoked around immigration and having the British voice heard mostly from people in the burbs and rural areas who were older than 60.

In the US there is a movement afoot and it will be the people who force change.  It always is.  Even the women’s movement that began in 1848 with four women having tea to discuss that 70 years after the American revolution it was time for women to play a more active role in all parts of society.  Margaret Mead said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  

As we have witnessed a terrible week of senseless killings that as a nation we are trying to wrap our heads around while wondering when will this all stop, how does this all stop, how do we come together and move forward, power to the people rings loud in my head.

John Lennon wrote the song Power to the People in 1971.  It was a different time but those words sing just as true today and maybe more so 45 years later.

“Power To The People”

Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right onSay you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the streetSinging power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right onA million workers working for nothing
You better give ’em what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into townSinging power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on

I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself

Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now

Oh well, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on

Yeah, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on

Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on