- The U.S. ranks 139th in voter participation among countries with democratic elections.

- Later year gerrymandering by elected politicians create a 98.2% incumbency rate in the white house.

- "The vote of most Americans won't matter on Election Day 2004."*

The other day I decided to thumb through "Ideas and Opinions", a book of Albert Einstein's quotes and I stopped at a quote which had captured my attention a few years back.

"The United States is the most powerful among the technically advanced countries in the world today. Its influence on the shaping of international relations is absolutely incalculable. But America is a large country and its people have so far not shown much interest in great international problems, among which the problem of disarmament occupies first place today. The last war has shown that there are no longer any barriers between the continents and that the destinies of all countries are closely interwoven. The people of this country must realize that they have great responsibility in the sphere of international politics. The part of passive spectator is unworthy of the this country and is bound in the end to lead to disaster all round." 

Doomed to Repeat
Written in 1921, this statement seems just as relevant now as it did more than 80 years ago. Today, we wonder how how much weapons-grade plutonium snuck out of the former Soviet Union as we watch more countries become nuclear, and hunt terrorists with possible dirty bombs and biological agents.

Then, there is Israel and Palestine. 

Yet, great wealth and technological advancements have been created. However, as statistics validate, only a tiny percent has trickled down to "the people" of the United States. Nonetheless, far less than 10% of the population, have consistently gotten significantly richer. 

While the US standard of living has risen, it is not representative of the wealth created. According to Business Week, “In the world’s richest country, the working poor’s chances of getting ahead are worse than ever.” 

Disarmament? The citizenry, living paycheck-to-paycheck, chasing the American Dream like some Pavlovian nightmare, have little time to try to understand world politics. Our politicians, beholden to special interests and blinded by the hyper-polarized state of the current two party system simply maintain the status quo and provide little vision for America's future. 

To be, or not to be
This must change. Corporations, the financiers of US politics, will not lead for the people, only for the profit of a few shareholders. Therefore, the citizens, as consumers, must realize that every purchase is a vote for a corporation, for the status quo, unless, purchases are wisely made.

Consumers must force corporations to demonstrate "humanistic exuberance", as a new economic model for corporatism and consumerism. The future of the United States depends on technological innovation, but that innovation must be more equally beneficial to workers, consumers, and the environment, not just shareholders.

Finally, if the US is to be a great democracy in the world, it will only be as great as it's citizenry. Right now, we are failing, and failing badly. If the citizens don't vote, and if we don’t become concerned, it will “in the end lead to disaster all round.” 50 percent voter turnout is unacceptable and dangerous to the survival of democracy. 

We need to shock them. 90PercentVote should be our goal. And if you feel like your vote won't count because your state is always Republican, or always Democrat, vote 3rd Party. Just vote. Voting is resistance.

Stand up and vote. Spend your money wisely. Some simple actions done in great numbers can have revolutionary changes. The power of choice, use it or lose it. Today, choices exist that can change the world, and the people can start making a difference today.