Student protesters: You should all be proud of your recent marches and demonstrations. Being able to speak concerns either as individuals or in groups is what living in a free nation is all about.
If, based on facts, you feel that an American invasion of Iraq is unjust, I applaud your efforts and individual thought.
That is the good news. The bad news is, these efforts won't make any difference whether America goes to war with Iraq or any other country.
Your marches and sign-waving have raised awareness. Some agree, others disagree and some are like me, torn between peace and personal security.
Cries for pacifism and justice are all over the news. These endeavors also will not make a change. Undoubtedly world leaders and corporate chairmen are seeing your efforts. Yet you have accomplished nothing. You may say, "But if the people in charge notice what we are doing, then aren't we affecting their decisions?"
Not a chance.
Corporate fat cats and politicians won't listen to you if your numbers doubled or your efforts tripled. Those in charge of our economic structure and governing body know one important fact about you -- a fact that many protesters can barely grasp themselves.
This fact gives President Bush the ability to brush off the protests like an ignorant mob. It allows gas stations to raise prices and it allows malls to have people arrested for wearing a shirt that simply states, "Give Peace a Chance."
What allows all these insane actions to continue? The answer is simple: you.
The only way we can make positive change is to influence those in power in a manner that will make them listen. And how can you do this?
Many of us forget that we give them the power to rule. If you feel you are not being represented justly, take away that power.
You are what fuels the system that casts off views and voices with slight remarks. You can shift the power back to the citizens of this country.
How can a government cast off the protests of millions of citizens like irrelevant chatter? They understand the dynamics of the system. Those in power know that if every protester is like the average American, only 30 percent will vote.
This has been a numerical trend for decades. Elected officials know that peace demonstrators and radicals are less likely to vote than mainstream Americans. Using "half less likely" as a fair estimate, historically this means that only 15 percent of those protesting are going to vote in the next election.
Objective numbers suggest there have been 3 million peace marchers in America over the Iraq conflict. That equates to 450,000 votes, give or take a few. This is a small number, but certainly enough to make an underling difference, especially locally.
But the number decreases when those in power are from a single political party or two parties. Political forecasters know that a fair chunk of voting liberals and activists will cast their vote for third party candidates.
Since only a small percentage of the voting protesters are potential votes (or dollars) for their campaign, politicians do not feel they have to pay attention to the peace marchers. Not having your voice heard is an empty feeling; fortunately, we can do something about it.
We have forgotten that we control this country. We must vote for candidates that will respect and represent our interests. We must donate our time and money to such politicians. When we vote for a certain candidate it is imperative to make clear why.
In the meantime, before elections, the marches are positive efforts. Writing to politicians as well as writing to businesses and editorial sections of local newspapers is important too. You must refuse to give business to companies that support narrow-minded thinking and non-democratic values.
Your efforts are admirable and your voices ring out in this conformist society. These demonstrations are a wonderful sight to this nation's bland democracy, but are meaningless if they are not compounded with long-term vision and movement toward reform.
Our country's political attitude has shifted away from participation and toward ignorance and apathy.
You are the generation that can change this.
Think and act, today and tomorrow.
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