The Blagojevich Scandal: A Call For Change

The indictment and arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is yet another example of a broken system of government where the opportunities for real change are impeded by the corrupt ambitions of a few. The FBI audio recordings which will no doubt be played at a forthcoming trial provide substantive evidence to those who argue that they no longer live in a country whose government is responsive to their needs. Further, the Governor’s refusal to resign, even when faced with near-certain impeachment by the State Legislature, shows that elected office has become an institution mired in its own self-gratification and isolated from the needs of the people it is structured to service. It is easy to look at the Blagojevich Case and decry the damage that it does to the present state of our Democracy, at what we already know is a critical state. As Bob Edgar, President of Common Cause, said yesterday, “It is always disheartening to see elected officials appear to veer off the path of the public interest that they pledged to serve.”

Although it is harder to do, the case is also, more importantly, a compelling example for citizens to become engaged, demanding that their elected officials be agents of change, accountability and leadership. As Millennials, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our social networks through new and evolving channels of information to demand that our democracy be upgraded.
Coming just a month after a historic election that produced, for many, a hope that America would return to a road of progress, the news from Illinois this week show that the work ahead will be difficult and that change will only come through cooperative efforts. For many Millennials, who voted for the first time just four weeks ago, it is frustrating to see the promise that was associated with the presidential campaign still be far off in the future.

Yet just as campaigns are won and lost on the grassroots effort, so too is our theory of Democracy 2.0, our Millennial-generated plan to upgrade the process of American governance. Beginning at the local level, individual citizens identify problems affecting their communities. Once problems are identified, they must engage in conversations searching for innovative solutions, and then these solutions must be implemented, assessed and adjusted as necessary. The ultimate vision for Democracy 2.0 rests with the institutionalization of this process within the framework of every level of American governance.

As Millennial leaders, we are compelled to not let egresses examples of corrupt abuses of power deter us from advancing our cause or suppressing our voice. Joining together, we will demand our elected leaders uphold their office to the highest standards possible. The first way to begin this process is by dialogue and we encourage you to become involved and engaged through the channels that Mobilize.org offers on our blog, website and other online networking sites. Offline, the conversation of bringing Millennial-generated change will dominate our forthcoming grant summit, Constitutional Convention: Building Democracy 2.0, where teams are invited to summit project proposals and compete for funding. For more information, visit www.democracyupgrade.com.