Cameron Michaels is a US Army veteran, an American manufacturing small business owner, and Chief Operations Officer at Hygenie Brand Products. He has been politically active and blogging since 2008.
by Cameron Michaels
We live in an amazing society where the colors of our nation are rich and vibrant. The diversity of differing cultures enriches our lives, and allows for the expansive marketplace of ideas. I, as many of you, must feel blessed to exist here and as a Veteran, the National Anthem still brings a tear to my eye as I know that what we stand for is true, and right as the rain is in Spring. Regardless of the discourse we have been witnessing as of late, I still believe that our country is moving forward and that we can all be a part of that movement. It is this open mindedness about our future that sets us apart from many other nations and is absolutely the cause for America's reputation as the bastion of ingenuity, the home of the IPhone, and the leader of the free world!
Alas these strengths, as beautiful, wonderful, and just as they are, have come into question. We are living in changing times, and part of that change has been due to the unexpected De-regulation of media through this medium we call the Internet. We have finally come to a tipping point of sorts where the power of this shareable tool has finally shown its real power. The Arab Spring and the Overthrow of Gaddafi, to name two, owe their thanks to this medium, and as such the existence of the Coffee Party as well.
I had the pleasure and honor of having a great discussion with the Big Apple Coffee Party with Annabel Park on Sunday. This was an extraordinary moment for me as I was definitely out of my element. It was honestly one of the most eye opening experience. I've ever had with 12 people together and that is saying a lot seeing as my whole life has been one real change after another, but it was the end of the night that really set me straight on this Blog post. I asked Annabel, who she sees leading the charge on fighting the powers that be. Her response to me was, "We do not need one leader. We need 20 Million Leaders!" This is a very profound statement since if you think about it, she’s right.
Louis Farrakhan organized the million-man march on October 16, 1995. He managed to organize 1 Million African American men to March on Washington. Martin Luther King did the same on many different occasions in the 60's with a mix of many civil rights activists, and made such an amazing difference, but even he was limited by the fact that there was only one of him. History is littered with leaders like this and as they fall, so do many of their movements unless accompanied by many more leaders to continue carrying the torch.
We need a 20 Million Citizen Movement. With 20 Million Americans hand in hand in these times of hardship, mistrust of Government and oppression of civil rights, shouldn't we as Americans collectively bond together? Shouldn't we impose on our leaders with a movement of civility and consensus a fight for truth, justice and the American way? Just imagine 20 million citizens fighting for what’s right, what’s true, real justice!
With this kind of collective energy we could reform our nation for the better, by making it impossible for the elite to defend their power grab they have made through their special interest lobbies. Together, 20 million strong, we could accomplish what our forefathers once did. Reforming a society from the ills of an oppressive power. Wouldn't that be something to tell our grandkids about?
