Park Avenue Got Me Like...

After watching the Park Avenue film, I was angry and frustrated, but not for the reason I thought I would be. Extreme poverty is terrible. People with less than adequate resources being turned away from a food pantry is terrible. Capitalism, however, is not terrible. I am on Tumblr a lot; probably more than I should be and I see several people poke fun at political figures and our wonky capitalistic nation. It’s warranted; I get it. The way I see it, our nation isn’t truly capitalistic. It’s corrupt and greedy. Let’s call it a convoluted capitalistic system. Basic capitalism makes sense to me. Work hard, make money, and live a better life. It seems reasonable. What frustrates me, though, is the manipulative nature and the twisted “money rules all” sentiment. Why do individuals who have so much care so little? It’s pathetic. I’m not saying I’m a hero or I regularly donate my spare cash to help a cause. I don’t. I go to Target and Whole Foods and spend more than I need. I get caught up in my life, my bubble and, frankly, have my blinders on to survive until graduation. It’s not right. I should absolutely see the world around me. I do wonder, though, about the people leading our nation. These individuals are supposed to lead, supposed to care, supposed to improve the lives of our nation’s citizens. They aren’t sheltered, naïve, and relatively poor college students. They are supposed to know who they’re representing and want to make lives better. I’m not in their shoes. I don’t know what it’s like to have a nation depend on me. I am just frustrated and confused and disappointed. I recognize this post is more akin to a rant than and educated an eloquent thought, but I’m wondering if anyone has insight or perhaps a roadmap to get through election season in high hopes instead of hopelessness and disappointment. How do we change and promote growth when it seems impossible? How do we know the truth and understand what’s right? How do we avoid going through life frustrated and sad because of everything that’s going on in the world?