Existentialism in the 21st Century

Now that we’re well into the 21st Century, it is time to focus on a whole manner of things. One monumental, historical and noteworthy item of concern is that we now have an African American serving as President of the United States of America (Barack Obama).  I am proud to say that I helped make it happen (simply by voting for him). This is an awesome time to be alive.

If ever there was a time for existentialism, it is now.  Modern man - with his iPhone, iPod and iPad computer, is still lonely, depressed, anxious and frightened. Where does existentialism come into play you might ask? Each human is born into a unique cultural, historical and financial situation in which he or she is to try to survive in a world of deceit, chaos and challenges.

Through social and political alienation – we have become existentially needy.  Long working hours, low wages and political red-tape are just some of the obstacles that have prevented us from acquiring basic needs such as health care, shelter, and basic necessities for everyone. We have become slaves to the diseased system in which we must live. Through human greed, and political endeavors, modern man has become disconnected and alienated. In today’s America, all that glitters is capitalism.

I see America as a blank and mad canvas for true human innovation and integrity, dignity and triumph over the evils of rotten politics and human quagmires. Look at just how dysfunctional our society is with all of the beaurocracy holding us back from becoming what we really could be. 

Domestically, we have so much to do. A recent topic of concern has been our nation’s health care system.  How the flies of the market place have invaded our modern health care system in so many ways. I’m not here to write about details on how we might fix that broken system. I will leave that for the pundits and politicians.  Another item of concern for me is “the american media”.   Entertainment has become the new “news” and the “real news” is something we citizens must find out on our own.

What does all this have to do with existentialism you might ask? Well, what DOES’NT it have to do with existentialism? Anyone who knows anything about the philosophy knows that in existentialism, man has “choices” to make…and has a responsibility to uphold his or her end of various “deals” that are made with other people. The democrats are in the position of trying to pass a health care reform bill through congress that would allow for more affordable health care for americans.  The republicans are in total opposition. What happens in Washington, D.C. affects all americans. Hence the people working in congress are working for their "constituents" under the pretense that they get the health care reform legislation passed successfully.

Existentially speaking, Americans are suffering from the “angst” of realizing that their country is no longer the (only) beacon of hope.  America is no longer the land of the (completely) free, home of the brave. No, the America of today is under global pressure. America must contend with other nations that ask very real questions about democracy, capitalism and a whole manner of pertinent issues. America has become a nation of the corporate-military-industrial-government-complex.

Americans are overworked, don’t get enough sleep, and are suffering as a consequence of such drudgery.  Why?  Capitalism!  That’s what!  We’re doing it for Capitalism! Capitalism has us by the balls, and we the people know it, but are afraid to revolt against it for obvious reasons. The american people have become paralyzed by the ephemeral babble of politics and policy makers.

There is a better way to live, but - we have to "work hard" collectively to get to that better way of life. If we just sit on the side-lines and let a few "wealthy" people and corporations make all the decisions, then we'll end up slaves to whatever policies they create for us. That's why we have to fight for whatever kind of better life we create for ourselves.