Do We Actually Have A Truthful Democracy?
If there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people who don’t vote, plus more hundreds of thousands who are in poverty and don’t have time to go to the polls, do we actually have a truthful democracy?
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(You can also listen to the audio version, which expands upon these points, here.)
According to a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s report, homelessness in the United States skyrocketed by 12% in 2023. Around 653,104 or more people are homeless. The numbers have been growing by about 10% each year.
This is a major crisis. And, it also begs the question, do we have a truthful democracy?
If there are hundreds of thousands of homeless people who don’t vote, plus more hundreds of thousands who are in poverty and don’t have time to go to the polls, do we actually have a truthful democracy?
A UBS Global Wealth Report found that in 2023, the world’s richest 1% owned around 47.5% all the wealth. Meanwhile, adults with less than $10,000 make up nearly 40% of the world’s population and only hold less than 1% of the wealth. Quite a drastic difference.
That means most people likely are not voting! Those who are wealthy have the ability to take time off and vote. Those who are in poverty, may not be able to.
So is there an equation missing in our democratic voting process?
What about the homeless? What about people in poverty?
Are we deceiving ourselves by believing in having a democracy, where the people vote for their representatives, and they represent the people?
When in actuality, the people who are struggling the most are not the ones who are actually voting or being represented, since homelessness is climbing.
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” — U.S. President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt
Are we failing and falling as a country, as a democracy, because our voting process is not working?
What would a good solution be?
Perhaps technology could help? I’ve heard of people waiting in line in Florida at the DMV for hours. Is our government’s usage of technology outdated? Could they partner with intelligent technologists or tech companies to figure out a better system? What are your ideas?
I have many solutions for poverty on my website awakeningconsciousness.community that include an organic sustainable community farm trail all across America, where the homeless could live and find meaningful purpose, and we could stop factory farms and drastically cut down on pollution and cruelty to animals. Anybody could live on these farms, and it could help with the loneliness and suicide rates we see in the South, and help the crisis of homelessness in California.
This could be initiated by an initiative where the army, people jailed for non-violent acts, and anybody else who is in need of work could be called upon to initiate this noble effort. Women would also be called to service to cook, clean, garden, etc. View my full proposal and presentation here at bit.ly/OrganicCommunityFarm
I also have a solution called The Compassion Network, where we spread global wealth to entrepreneurial-minded and heart-inspired individuals who seek to help solve our environmental and societal challenges. They would be given a monthly stipend for whatever they feel called to do in their local community to help people and planet. There also would be a fund for people who would like to start sustainable farms. You can view this full proposal and presentation here at bit.ly/TheCompassionNetwork
Our entire socio-economic system is in need of an update since the earth is dying and people are in poverty worldwide. Our American Democracy is not working, and therefore it seems neither is the United Nations. Just like we face a crisis of homelessness and poverty in the U.S., there is a likelihood of children dying all around the world in the coming months.
“The Palestinian territory, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as Mali and Haiti, have been identified as the top five places most likely to see deadly hunger levels in the coming months, according to a new report by United Nations food agencies…Of “very high concern” are also Nigeria, Chad, Yemen, Mozambique, Myanmar, Syria and Lebanon, it said. In those countries, conflict was either a key driver of hunger, or a contributor.”
While the 1% drink their cocktails, people are becoming homeless and children are starving. This is a disturbing situation.
Could this be because our democracy is not a Truthful Democracy, representing all of the people — those who have too little? We need brave leadership in this world. For me, my heart cries.
You can view my solution in my new documentary, Our Circular Eco Economy, at bit.ly/OurCircularEcoEconomyDocumentary or you can read my writings on my website at awakeningconsciousness.community/healingtheworld for more information on how we can create a more beautiful and healthy earth for all.
Written by
Ashley Heacock
Harvard Kennedy School of Government, MPA
MIT Sloan School of Management, MBA
The George Washington University, BA Economics, BA International Affairs
Contact: ashleyheacock@gmail.com
Website: awakeningconsciousness.community