I spend my time these days trying to save democracy. What do you do?

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There's 24 hours in a day.

There's sixty minutes in an hour, which means there's 1,440 minutes in a day.

Do you know how many seconds that is? 86,400 seconds

There's plenty of time in a day. How are you spending your time?

Here's what I did for two hours yesterday. It's simple really. Find 10-20 people, some signs and/or banners, and if you've got it handy, a microphone device. Print off some flyers to hand to people who are curious about why you are exercising your First Amendment rights. And have fun parading around your hometown for democracy.

Not sure what to organize around? Military recruitment centers are good sites. If we can stop young people from enlisting, the powers that be will have to end this war sooner or later.

Corporations engaged in war profiteering are also good for holding actions at. Do some research. Find out how your city is fueling the corporatist state.

You can also just walk up and down the streets of your city chanting and speaking out about Iraq, the economy, loss of civil liberties like habeas corpus, torture, suppression of science, theocracy, corporate greed, etc.

Since the election became the focus, it doesn't seem like people are willing to demonstrate unless it's an anniversary.

Fifth anniversary of the war. May Day's next month. Do we really have to wait for a good anniversary to mobilize on?

We aren't that worried that the police are going to get tired of following us around as we try our best to save this nation from ruin?

Let's get out in the streets now and every day.

For all the torture revelations that are being ignored, let's demonstrate.

For all the sectarian violence and surge myths being purported, let's organize.

For all the blame Democrats are placing on Iraqis for making this war difficult for America, let's get angry.

For our Congress' failure to uphold and defend the Constitution, let's share with Americans the reasons why impeachment or Article 2, Section 4 needs to be pushed and suppoted relentlessly.

For our least worst candidates' inadequacies, let us apply the pressure---the pressure that will make them respond to the people before another million Iraqis die, another hundred innocent people are detained, another thousand Americans lose their lives, another corporation makes billions off of taxpayer money, or another surge in food prices and gasoline prices occurs.

We can't count on Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton to interrupt the corporate media's trivial agenda for agenda for this election. The ABC debate this week proved that.

Twenty-one debates later, we're still waiting on these Democratic candidates for president to tell us what they will really do on the issues. We're also wondering when they are going to mention or pay attention to some key issues that only third party and independent candidates are brave enough to discuss.

Ralph Nader has 12 issues that he says are off the table for McCain, Obama, and Clinton. That especially includes reversing policy in the Middle East. That could not be more off the table for Clinton or Obama at this point.

Just listen to what they are saying on Iran. Somehow I don't think they will be impeaching after an attack on Iran anymore.

Should we all become heroes and go out and Road Trip for Ralph?

Maybe. One thing's for sure. Ballot access obstructionism and debates during the general election that are closed to third party and independent candidates can no longer be. We must not allow it, America.

Americans, we've lowered our sights. We've grown accustomed to expecting less of our elected leaders. Our elected leaders have grown accustomed to expecting less from us.

We've lost faith in a system and become disillusioned because our leaders aren't giving us what we want.

Whining isn't going to get us gasoline prices that aren't fixed. Whining won't get us a democracy that thinks impeachment is worth having a hearing on.

We can update our Facebooks some more and download some more song for our iPods and go check out that new movie at the theatre or video store or we can demand an end to the corporatist state we are growing more acclimated to each day.

We can consume Starbucks at Wal-Mart after eating McDonald's before we go get plastered with alcohol and cigarettes tonight or we can make a commitment to act now to renovate, rebuild, and revitalize this ailing democracy.

There's an ancient Chinese proverb that goes, "To know and not to do is not to know." Please do so we can know.

Authors Bio:
Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com