On Revolution

No doubt about it, The United States of America stands in desperate need of change -- revolutionary change.

We don't need regressive change. The wish to "return to (whatever)" is misguided and, by definition, backward. The Revolution must take place in this time, this place, moving forward.

We don't need simple-minded change. This is an irreversibly complex world turning in an undeniably complex age. Every citizen is entitled to participate, but not every citizen is qualified to lead.

Opinions, which easily can inflame a mob, are barely sufficient to inform a vote. Public service of the sort required by The Revolution must be informed by critical thought.

We don't need ideological change. Patriots, not partisans, will save the Republic. Devotion to dogma isn't devotion to country. Incurable ideologues must be exposed and dispatched lest they poison The Revolution.

We don't need social change. A society is a rich mix of heritage and faith, traditions and values, beliefs and experiences. A nation is society's governance, and while it exists in the context of social change it must remain separate, distinct.

Social, religious and commercial agendas, however grounded in pure intent, have no place in a nation's revolutionary change.

Recognizing what The Revolution cannot be is crucial, because these days The People are mired in confusion.

We see foolishness and call it courage. We condemn intellect. We toss around epithets like "socialism," "fascism" and "tyranny" without the faintest clue about what we're saying.

We're not ashamed of our ignorance.

We vilify the last President and sanctify this one (or vice versa) for the same acts. A nutjob with a gun and an Internet manifesto murders innocents and becomes a martyr. We don't know the difference between opinion and principle, politics and governing, celebrity and conviction.

Worst of all, extremists are considered revolutionaries. Nothing strays farther from revolution than extremism. The moment that extremists take the helm, The Revolution is dead in the water.

The Revolution must come from The People, not from the fringe.

True revolutionaries, thinking citizens moved to action, must step forward from The People. Until that happens, The Revolution sleeps.