I've had it!

I am increasingly frustrated and angry with the direction of our country and the tragically flawed nature of our political system.  I'm looking for people who share my concern so we can figure out what to do - how we can raise our voices and join together to make sure that we and our kids have a brighter future.

The root of all evil seems to be the infection of the political system with corporate money.  How can we expect the government - no matter which party is in charge - to do what is best for the common good when corporations and other wealthy donors have bought access and influence that is unchallenged?  Just this week, we learned that hedge funds bankrolled the GOP toward the end of the midterm elections, providing $10 million in campaign financing.

Why should it surprise us when Obama appoints a top JP Morgan Chase executive to be his chief of staff?  Why should we be surprised when his budget director leaves to go work for Citigroup?

Why should we be surprised when the first step in health care reform was to cut a private deal with the major companies involved in health care?

Why should we be surprised that the GOP had as its top priority to extend tax cuts on the wealthiest 2%?  Why should we be surprised that the most likely solution to fixing Social Security's solvency is to make middle and working class people pay more in payroll taxes and postpone retirement, rather than reducing future benefits for the wealthy or taxing more of their current income?

Why should we be surprised when eight presidents - from Nixon to Obama - fail to provide a serious energy policy to get us off our addiction to Middle East oil?  Why should we be surprised that oil companies are among the most heavily subsidized by the government?

Why should we be surprised when some of our leaders ignore science and deny climate change?  Why should we be surprised when  even those who believe in science do nothing to address the need to reduce carbon emissions?

Why should we be surprised when the US government spends tens of billions of dollars subsidizing agriculture in ways that make our citizens - and especially our kids - obese?

Americans need jobs, we need to rebuild and modernize our infrastructure, we need major investments in new energy technology, and we need to fix and better fund our educational system.  But who is lobbying Congress to make sure that gets done?  And who is lobbying Congress to make sure it gets done not by borrowing from our children's future income but by asking those who benefit the most from our country's wealth to pay more according to their means and by ending subsidies that keep us addicted to oil and unhealthy food?

We're a great country, capable of solving our problems and giving our kids - and the world - a brighter, healthier, safer future.  Our challenges might be great, but so is our capacity for innovation and hard work.  But unless and until our government stops serving the needs of the few and puts the needs of the average American first, much of that capacity will go to waste.

Thanks to the Supreme Court, the only way to remove the stranglehold big money has on our political system may be to amend the Constitution.  So do we need to rally together to make that happen?  Is it even possible?  Will politicians in DC and state legislatures choose to cut off the hand that feeds them?  Or do we need a third party that will counter the Tea Party and raise support for a platform that will fix our fiscal mess while investing in our future?  Is there another way, one that is more unconventional that takes advantage of social networking and the technology of the 21st century to truly transform grassroots activism?

I would love to hear from others who share my frustration and anger.  I especially would love to hear from younger Americans - those in their teens and 20s - who have the most to gain and lose.  You have the power - and the time and energy - to make a real difference.  Time to stand up and be heard!