Titles and Shutdowns

Naming intangible things has always been a challenge for me. A puppy, a car, a person...easy: Edgar, Sheila, Francisco. Simple as that. But a blog. I can think and think for ages and never decide on a clever title to catch the eyes and minds of readers everywhere. I've been wanting to start this Americorps blog to chronicle my 10 month term with the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) for many months, but the first step in creating a new blog has postponed the operation until this very last minute: "Title:" 

I decided to go the simple route. I'm one of many young adults who choose a year of volunteer service before, after, or instead of college. I'm one of many who will serve our nation and address various community needs to the best of our abilities. One Americorps journey in a sea of others. Some of us will come from similar places. Some will be as different as squirrels and birds. Fortunately, both creatures spend a significant amount of time rustling around in trees, eating, and squawking amongst themselves. None of us are all that different, after all. We've joined the same program and committed – at least for a year, but maybe a lifetime – to the same goals and guiding principles.

One other thing we all have in common: this government shutdown is messing up our plans!! For the Pacific Region Class XX of Americorps NCCC, October 9^th 2013 has been a countdown date for months.  We have received our duffle bags, said our goodbyes, and mentally prepared to leave our homes for the great unknown. With eight days left on the countdown clock: SHUTDOWN rings across the nation from local Daily Heralds to the New York Times. We wait. Americorps is a federal program that can only afford to help the nation if it is funded by the nation.

We’re beyond party politics at this point. We have become an ungovernable nation pulled into a wildly burning building by a small group of old hypocritical white men (and Michele Bachmann) who would rather destroy our country than not get their way. Are you reading the news about the World War II Memorial? The very same republican (sorry, I know I said this was beyond party politics but there’s no denying that the republicans are to blame for this disaster) congressmen (and Michele Bachmann) that – for years – have been celebrating the possibility of shutting down the federal government are now posing for photo–ops with World War II vets saying that the shutdown “SHOULD NOT close their Memorial: Cut that tape, gentlemen.” Hypocrites, the lot of you.

In many ways, I’m sick of this country and would like to leave it for a more normal place that takes care of its citizens and actually has a working democracy. Yet, in my heart, I know that there are more beautiful, wonderful places and people here than there are bad. “Love it or leave it,” the long time slogan of so many close–minded individuals could not be more ridiculous. Love it. Be critical of it. And FIX it, I say. Now open up the government so I can start to do my part with Americorps, please!