Amidst the dull uproar over the veiled threats from RevolutionMuslim.com, I can’t help but agree with one point the controversial site made: They didn’t start the wars, we, America, did. This is tragic and unconscionable for a society that so often uses life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as defenses. The question then remains, how do we transform our outrage into positive political action? I imagine contacting our representatives is a start, as is supporting anti-war organizations.

Events like September 11th are tough to talk about. Fortunately, time makes their memory less potent, which is important as it enables us to take another, more objective look at what happened to ensure our recollection of history is as it was–free from momentary emotion and passion. That day holds enough historical significance to us and the world that it is unquestionably worth analyzing again.

Some may take issue with this sort of invocation claiming it’s at worst a gross politicization of a tragedy or at best simply unnecessary. My intent, however, is to highlight what I found to be legitimate and logical inconsistencies and their implications, and to share what influenced my judgment with others. It’s up to the individual to decide if this falls in the realm of reality or conspiracy theory, but I will say that impossible doesn’t necessarily follow improbable or unbelievable. Our world’s history is rife with government abuse, especially of its own citizens or property for political purposes.

These documentaries call to attention the real possibility–one with precedent in our country, even–that our government committed, or was complicit in, such an act eight years ago. True, the past is just that, but we need to learn from it so atrocities like 9/11 don’t happen again; and if they do, so those responsible are identified and held accountable.

One of my main grievances with the Wall Street bailout is how the banks aren’t being held accountable for their mistakes (and the hallway conversations and murmurings tell me others are bothered by this, too.) To put this in perspective, what if every American said to the government “Pay off my credit card debt, car loan, and mortgage or I’ll kill myself tomorrow.” Would the American government absorb our words and fork over billions to save us all? Not a chance. But that’s essentially what Wall Street did. They held a gun to America’s head and told Congress to fork over the dough. By exploiting the world’s fear of a market collapse, the irresponsible banks strong-armed their way into a deal which has, so far, lived up to little of what it promised. Where’s the liquidity? Where’s the oversight?

These banks were suffering because they took on debt they couldn’t afford. What’s the difference between those banks and the millions of Americans suffering because of similar irresponsible decisions? From a purely situational perspective, not a thing. It’s the level of accountability, however, that most Americans have that draws a distinct line between them and the financial robber barons. It’s true that millions of people in this country live off the welfare system, but those millions are overshadowed by a larger majority who accept their irresponsibility as their own and take personal accountability for their actions. Rather than make others suffer for their mistakes, they choose to cut back on spending and trim down their life styles. Even while wishing the opposite, they understand government won’t be there to bail them out because that isn’t the government’s job.

Yet somehow, in a country for the people, an accountability asymmetry has emerged. We could all stand up tomorrow and, as Wall Street did, threaten to derail the domestic and global economy if our demands aren’t met. But we wouldn’t. We don’t operate as if our government is a soup kitchen, and our corporations shouldn’t either. We do not share their profits and they should not share ours. Our government pitifully acquiesced. They made a mistake. This bailout is a slap to the face of hard-working Americans who struggle each day to climb out of the holes they made for themselves. And you know how they learned to climb? Out of necessity.

Given the bailout, our financial industry will remain unaccountable for its actions. They pulled one over on us. They got us to sacrifice our ideals and our money in the face of a threat that has yet to actualize. What happened in September was the pièce de résistance of eight years of fear mongering and an utter failure of our political system. What an immense disappointment.

Americans have a right to be outraged and dammit we should be.

With this post comes my official entrance into cookoo-ville. (I say that half seriously.) Last night, a friend of mine recommended I watch Zeitgeist: The Movie. I knew about the general concept of Zeitgeist, but had no idea what the film would be like. The entire movie is online, so you can stream it directly from the site.

If you suspend reality and disbelief, the contents are shocking. The best part is, this movie was made earlier this year and it shines juxtaposed with our current financial crises. It’s worth taking a look, even if you don’t buy all of the theories proposed, if only for the compelling explanation of Christianity as a scion of paganism.

It happens to the best of us; I myself have survived one or two and I know others who have experienced just as many. There is no mistaking the event or its profound impact. It’s a mind and often life-altering experience that I’m thankful rarely occurs. But when it does, it demands one’s attention and singular focus. And when it leaves, one is never quite the same.

The United States and the American people are experiencing an identity crisis right now. The closeness of such a heated and important political race demonstrates just how torn we are. If my personal struggle during this election indicates at all that of the greater population, what we have before us is indeed a defining choice. The People are sick of a polarized country; sick of being placed in red and blue boxes; and sick of the need to divide our beliefs along party lines when many of us have a leg on each side.

I find the two-party system–or, more accurately, its current manifestation–inadequate for a 21st century America. Why can’t I believe in economic conservativeness and social progression at the same time and be represented in national government? To be fair, the Democratic candidate for President shares these beliefs, though the Republicans will do anything to convince the voters otherwise–read Senator Obama’s economic plan and tell me he doesn’t want our country’s mind broadened and its purse strings drawn tighter. But I digress and at the same time fan the flame…

This election should be about not what divides us, but the inspiration and determination of the American people as a whole; about perseverance and the American will; and, more importantly, about reclaiming our American identity. Perhaps it’s blind optimism that compels me to believe that we can and will do better–especially considering our recent elective choices that seem to betray that confidence–but I believe it nonetheless.

This is America! We fought a revolution and won, defying all odds and forcing back the most powerful empire in the world. We instituted a government unfathomed at the time, endowing us, the People, with the power to choose our fate. We need to stand up and compromise with each other. We need to meet at the table, discuss our differences, and bend to shake in the middle. Empires rise and fall; and, though we find ourselves in troubled times, believing we are a nation beyond the tendrils of history will bring about our biggest downfall yet.

America is synonymous with progression. Indeed, our inception was based on altering the status quo to guarantee more personal liberty, a better life, and more opportunities for happiness than ever before. Our foundation is progress and our choices to promote it have been heralded and emulated by countries around the world. We cannot inspire via stagnation; we must continue to progress and break down provincial barriers and live up to the promise of our founding.

The world wishes, nay lusts after, our success; do we, the People, want it too?