The America that my generation knows, is probably not the America that most of my followers grew up with. The only booming and thriving that my generation knows, is from old movies, books, or stories from ‘way-back-when’. Shit, when most of my generation got their driver’s license, gas was already over $2.25/gallon and cruising around with friends was unheard of. In school, the average grades were no longer passing, due to the ‘No Child Left Behind Act’. Getting a decent job with benefits meant hopefully getting hired over an unemployed CEO for a position flipping burgers for $7/hour. The benefits being waiting 6 months for an open enrollment period, getting insurance for $40/week, with a $2500 deductible, and no dental or vision included. That’s good benefits for my time. Getting a job at a reputable workplace is a joke, because corporations seem to be run like politics now. If you aren’t family or have a close connection, goodbye. Or bribe money. That’s what made me give up trying to beg ‘The Man’ for a job. Being told at 18 that they wouldn’t hire me because I don’t have experience. Give me a break. How they hell does an 18yo have 5 years experience?

The America that my generation knows, will throw you in jail for filming an environmental disaster. Like the BP oil spill. The America that my generation knows, isn’t one that will watch your back, lend you a helping hand when things get tough, or fight for my individual rights, and protect me from corporate greed. The America that we know today, is one that will sell itself out for more gains. One that doesn’t put the people first.

What are we all fighting, if we aren’t fighting together? I’ve come to the conclusion in my life, that our country is set-up for everyone to dislike each other. We are taught that life is only complete when you have a bigger house, a bigger boat, and a prettier wife than your neighbor. It’s all about greed, jealousy, and power. But what if it was about helping your neighbor. Meeting your neighbor. What if everyone cared past themselves. The business owner realizes that this 18yo kid might no have experience, but still gives him a shot. Or the guy that could buy a $20,000 boat, but instead lends his neighbor $10,000 so he can save his house and family.

Everyday, our country is losing more and more people that actually witnessed this country in it’s greatness. People who lived in a time when people had a change to succeed. When working hard paid off, and doing the right thing got you ahead. When people cared about each other, and the general good was far more important than personal gain. We can’t lost that.

We can either be the America that persevered through the toughest of times, or we can be the America that gave up. My generation is not a ‘filler’ generation. It’s up to us to bring the change that we want. We refuse to live in a slave-nation that is tricked and conned into thinking we are free and happy. Only we decided when we are happy and free. Our founding fathers knew what was best for our country, and we need to get our rights and freedoms back. If we all change for the better good, our country will follow us. It’s time to lead the people out of the darkness.