Finding a voice: Magazine's 'Person of the Year' should go one step further

The 2011 Time Magazine Person of the Year is the protester.

The magazine's take is more international -- how the voices of the people have effected change around the world, most specifically, the Arab Spring. The Occupy Wall Street movement is also mentioned as well as other protests around the world that challenged governments and regimes this year.

Of course, there is a spin. There always is.

But the sentiment is something to consider as we plot where we want to be as a nation now and in the near future.

Truth is, Americans have finally figured out that they have a voice, and they are using it.

Forget the days of people sitting back and shaking their heads at politics and campaigns and complaining about their leaders in Washington. Now, they are paying attention.

All of a sudden, a bunch of Americans are figuring out they have power when they speak and that keeping abreast of what is going on in Washington matters.

It started with the Tea Party speaking its mind, and then others followed suit. And, finally, we have the potential of a campaign for the presidency that actually involves real issues Americans care about. This coming year just might be the year when we decide the path this nation is going to take as it moves into the future -- and Americans are not staying silent about how they feel about that responsibility.

And that is a good thing.

It is important that as many of us as possible speak in the coming months. Engage in debate, stand up for what we believe in.

Our voices matter. Time Magazine says so.

Published in Editorials on December 14, 2011 10:26 AM