Newton’s Cradle is an incredibly popular desktop amusement. The toy embodies the principles of mathematics and physics as explained by its namesake, Sir Isaac Newton.
Five metal balls of equal mass are hung together, touching along the same linear axes. All the balls will remain motionless unless an outside force acts on them. If the steel ball on the far right is lifted and released, it will strike its partner. Shockwaves travel at the speed of sound through all the remaining steel balls, launching the ball at the far left upward and outward.
The ball on the far right and far left swing in a proportioned mutualistic rhythm. Eventually, the energy succumbs to friction and the balls gradually cease to move.
Like Newton’s Cradle, governments are subject to gravity and friction, and will surely become motionless if “We the people” remain inactive.
“It took reams of people to push Obama over the edge and win, but nothing is pushing [President] Obama right now.”
“Obama’s campaign of hope inspired lots of people – there already existed a vacuum… a desire for a better kind of world. All of our history and desire tumbled on to one man running for office. The American people became inspired by Obama rather than being inspired by themselves.”
“I did not have great expectations of Obama, but I did have great expectations of the force which got him into office.”
In times of comfort we tend not to be active in our own government or politics. As such, it seems we approach elections as spectators – liken to betting for our favorite boxer, fantasy football league, or American Idol contestant. Obama vs McCain [Bush]! Disconnected from the process, we seem to think winning an election is the end of the fight, when in reality, we have only chosen a warrior to help represent us in battle. Drunk with post-election victory – we leave the arena before the first round bell is rung.
Now the real fight begins, and it is not Obama against McCain. It is Obama against 95 percent of the Republican senators and congressmen – backed by powerful conservative interest groups and lobbyists flush with cash. Surrounded and without proper troop support, the toughest and smartest of commanders will compromise. Should they? It is easy to say no from outside the ring.
“There is an opportunity for change in this country – people want something better and what they want is not being represented in Congress, nor by the Obama administration.”
Health care for instance – “Lobbyists this year have spent $3.3 billion in Washington fighting healthcare legislation. 179 former Congressmen are paid by the healthcare industry to lobby Congress. They’ve spent $1 to 3 million a day. There are 6 healthcare lobbyists for every member of Congress.”
In order to make real change, sacrifices must be made. Leadership is needed to inspire us to do what must be done, especially if it causes us discomfort. In exchange, we have to be strong enough to inspire our leadership.
In spite of lackluster global warming leadership, “100,000 people from all over the globe came together in Copenhagen … fighting for the future of their countries together – that’s inspiring to me.”
“Leaders are important because they embody the feeling and expression of a moment … King did not make the movement – the movement made King.”
The recipe for social progress is mutualistic. The huddled mass desires to be heard, and from them a leader emerges. Tragic failure of this relationship occurs when the mass relies solely on the leader and the leader speaks primarily for self interest.
“I think we’re lacking real political leadership in this city and the state – because everyone is so worried about protecting their own personal political survival.”
Are things getting better?
“Here in the inner city there are people putting their lives on the line to turn their kids’ lives around and rebuild this community.”
“The press is not covering this, but there is a nonviolent march being planned to the wall outside Israel by Palestinians – not people wrapped in bombs, but 50,000 Palestinians marching with a commitment to nonviolence in a struggle to change the course of humanity over there – that’s leadership to me, not just being one person.”
“There is progress being made all over the globe.”
“Struggle is always about pushing ahead and being prepared to see yourself being pushed back a little. But part of what you have pushed ahead cannot be pushed back.”
