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Show 6 WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2016 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: OCTOBER 11, 2016 Being American: A responsibility, not a right ALEX FLITTON Sports Reporter What does the word “trust” mean in our current political climate? I would argue after the latest presidential debate, it’s worth a lot less on a political platform than vegetables at a six-yearold’s birthday party. Is this really what “America the Great” has come to — a two party system, more worried about slinging mud at the other than producing effective solutions to real world problems? Twenty trillion dollars of debt isn’t produced by people who are more worried about others than themselves or their own agendas. Racism or sexism can’t flourish in a population full of trust and understanding. It all starts with a choice. I choose to not believe that trust is a perishable commodity out of stock or demand. Trust is a delicate, precious keystone on which Americans should be able to expect alongside their bill of rights — or their apple pie. I believe trust should be more American than bald eagles or the Fourth of July. After all, what is MADISON VAN ORMAN | The Signpost Although I’ve lost all faith in politics and our government’s systems, I haven’t lost faith in the American people. a politician worth if no one can trust him or her? An untrustworthy politician breeds hate and fear, no matter the policies they stand for. Although I have completely lost all faith in politics and our government’s systems, I have not lost faith in the American people. I believe that the time when the American people surpass their government in all things selfless and true is now. Hundreds of businesses across the country, local and international, are taking on socially responsible attitudes and policies. They are developing generally positive programs on their own, despite lack of government support and guaranteed return on investment. If you don’t believe that billionaire CEOs have hearts, then check out what Manoj Bhargava of 5-Hour Energy is doing to provide electricity and clean water to people in need. Maybe the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation could change your mind when you hear about the billions of dollars they are giving away without governmental pressure. Maybe not all of the one percent are as charitable, but the trend is growing, and maybe they will catch the wave or maybe they will let it drown them. Either way, selfish wealth hoarders should be brought under the spotlight. I don’t care If someone is beyond wealthy. I believe that wealth is a great reward for hard work, but with that wealth comes a responsibility to give back to those who helped it grow. Let the wealthy decide how to give it back, though. A hard-working business person can be much more creative because of his or her experiences than a politician beholden to a lobbyist agenda. Human beings are inherently good, and I don’t believe they need political pressure to make socially responsible decisions. As long as pro-social, ethically conscious trends continue and educated individuals are taught to keep giving and serving, a culture of trust will cultivate — despite governmental programs or laws. Young American generations should be taught to look outward rather than inward, to look past their own reality and strive to understand the realities of others. Greater change is possible, and it will be controlled by how we train our future leaders. I have lost all patience and faith in the system, but I have not lost faith in the American people. Our third political party is not a person at all, rather a decision to require trust in our leaders, to serve others and to understand those who are different. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 7, 2016 Between asses and elephants, the bear wins BEN BIGELOW Copy Editor There is a spectre haunting this year’s election. To borrow a phrase from Ronald Reagan, “There’s a bear in the woods.” Reagan’s metaphor pointed toward the threat of Communist Russia during the 1984 election cycle. The bear I’m referring to is also Russian. The bear I’m referring to is Vladimir Putin. See, I remember the Cold War. I remember being afraid as a child, watching the Soviet Army goosestep around Red Square in Moscow. I also remember the fall of the Berlin Wall, the symbolic death of the Red Menace. But now I get those same feelings of fear when I see the carnage in wartorn places like Syria and Ukraine. These have become the proxy wars of the 21st century. With the media circus that is our current election cycle, it’s easy to get over-focused on events here in the States, to get caught up in the negative rhetoric and mud-slinging. After all, this could potentially be the most important election in American history. But regardless of whether the Asses or the Elephants come out on top, there will be an unspoken victor from this whole Tribune News Service mess: Russia. If Trump wins, then our great nation will be in the pocket of Putin, a former Soviet intelligence agent. There should be no speculation as to “if” — The Donald’s actions (and potentially, computer servers, like the one that has been communicating with Russian bank Alfa, as reported by Slate) and calls for certain foreign powers to initiate electronic warfare against American interests was not cheeky banter. It was much closer to treason. His stance on NATO and his push to change the GOP position on Ukraine make his alignments clear. Trump the circus performer is hugging the bear, but it’ll be the American people who get mauled. If Hillary wins, a whole different set of problems could arise. The sentiment of many ultra-far-right (though not-so-far-right in this election) radicals and supremacist groups is that if Hillary wins, they will bring open civil war and rebellion here in the U.S. While this sentiment is often echoed by the ultra-far-right during presidential elections, it’s never happened — not even in this time of the Bundy militia, Standing Rock protest militarization and open, to war with itself, even with NATO and our European allies, saddled with millions of refugees trying to escape the proxy war, we will have left the bear’s cage open. Hillary the ringmaster knows exactly what the bear is up to, but it’ll run free while she’s trying to stop a fight at the concession stand. There’s another situation that either prospective president could find themselves in: the plausible scenario where we decide to intervene fully in the Syrian conflict and are propelled into a third World War. This is an outcome made more likely by the thousands of U.S. and NATO troops and heavy armor being sent to bases in Eastern Europe, as reported Sunday by various media. While nowhere near a declaration of war, this type of provocative action in the current geopolitical climate echoes the posturing by the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War. In all of these situations, America loses. In all of these situations, Putin’s Russia wins. Happy voting on Tuesday, and perhaps, dasvidaniya. mainstream racism and hate. Comment on this story at And if our country goes signpost.mywebermedia.com |