By David Mann, Niles City Councilman

I grew up believing that America is a country where we can become everything that we want to become with God’s leading regardless of race, gender, religious affiliation, or social position.

Somehow, I believed that it did not matter where you came from or how much money you had: you could work hard and achieve something meaningful in your life. I grew up believing that money was only as good as what we did with it — to support our families, to relieve suffering and to spread the gospel.

I’m guessing many of you did to.

As I am writing this, the government is shut down and congress is battling over America’s future in a way that is only serving special interest groups — not the common good of the American people.
Yes, there are people who I believe are truly fighting for us, but the vast majority of congress has been so bought and sold by special interest groups, we — the common people — have been left in a smoking heap.

Congress has failed to provide any real solutions in recent years as a body.

We still have a tax code that is grossly unfair and destructive to the common good. We have a bureaucracy that pointlessly and unethically pours money on itself for needless and extravagant expenditures. We have a welfare system that people try to get on to instead of off of. We supply our state coffers through the lottery — a system that is proven to deprive the poor of any chance of a future.

It seems that class warfare has risen up; pitting rich and poor against each other when we should be learning to work together to solve this countries problems.

Unfortunately, some wealthy individuals and labor unions try to unfairly influence the political system through Super PACS and campaign contributions.

The Supreme Court is hearing a case that may drastically raise the amount individuals can donate to campaigns.

I don’t have a miracle answer for you today because the answer lies with you.

We will never see America rise up to its former glory until we see individuals willing to elect individuals who will not fight for special interests, but will be fighting for their constituents.

Let’s have a national discussion on healthcare — but this time let’s listen to the “common” people (who I believe are the most extraordinary people we have) and have a bipartisan discussion.

Let’s talk about education reform, but with an open mind and without the short-sighted restrictions of NCLB.

Let’s talk about gun violence but with a look at the whole picture — including how the media refuses to take any responsibility for their role in promoting gun violence. Let’s talk about national defense — realizing that our first priority is to protect our country.

Let’s talk about the budget — but without special interests and with the American people’s interests first.

The bottom line: Let’s talk about the future of America.

David Mann is a member of the Niles City Council.