This piece is hyper-relative to the times that we live in, though I have mixed feelings towards the suggestions it makes. It seems somewhat undeniable that the United States currently exists in a state of political paralysis. This piece largely talks about how leaders have worked to somewhat perpetuate this paralysis, but I think they have largely piggybacked off of our own human imperfections. It is impossible to think about political paralysis without thinking about he literal gridlock that often takes place within congress. This simply occurs because representatives self-interest in their own ideas has grown larger than their desire to create any policy whatsoever. This can largely be attributed to increased polarization, as well as our faulty democratic system, yet the effects have been widespread nonetheless. It will be extremely difficult for average citizens to realize their power if political parties cannot do so themselves. Throughout the last forty years, as opposing parties have been voted into office, they spend a great deal of time undoing the actions of their previous leaders, before ever contributing to progress. Without progress coming from leaders, people will have a tough time contributing themselves.

When it comes to what citizens are capable of, I do not know if I truly believe in the power of the people. Surely their are examples of single individuals sparking widespread change, though nothing seems more integral to this progression process than effective organization, something average citizens are not so great at. Average people looking to become leaders must present causes in such a way that people will think that it has an effect on them for them to truly care. Along with this, they must effectively target those who will truly contribute to any kind of movement. Given organizational difficulties, it seems pessimistically difficult for the powerless to become powerful. The institutionalization of the internet will hopefully begin to reverse this pattern, as it clearly already has, but until this happens more, I am not convinced in the ability for average citizens to create change. Our leaders and institutions are responsible for making this more possible in the future.