Submission of Call to Arms Speech by Gage Rush

Gage A. Rush                                                August 10, 2015

                   Call to Arms Speech:

                     Seize Your Future

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not known to be a loud man, but I do know when to raise my voice. For the sake of trying to awaken you all to the potential you hold, to the power you have to shape the future, I will bring forth the fires of my passion.

Things look bleak, and I know many of you feel this to some degree or another. Our country's morals are decaying, corruption and conflict are widespread, and we are slowly giving in to a sense of futility. The rest of the world is in no better shape. Cracks are now beginning to appear in the perceived unassailability of the great powers. The U.S. is torn between two opposing points of view, the growth of inequality has shattered the American dream, and Europe is now stricken with chaos and economic turmoil. China is now beginning to feel the creaking weight of being a superpower without dealing with its own internal problems effectively. The Middle East is aflame with conflict and murder, and almost no region is now untouched by problems. Things look bad.

And yet, when and why did we seem to give up? We have been through much worse before. We've summoned the power to face ever more frightening odds before. Have you already forgotten EDSA? The American Revolution? The Civil Rights movement?

In every instance of major steps forward, we have shown a spirit so powerful that it echoes throughout the ages. Do you not see the power of the human spirit?

First species on the moon. The power to change the landscape in such a way only a great force of nature could accomplish. Our arts, history, culture. Tell me that we are not the dominant species of this planet. We did not get to be here by not believing in ourselves.

We must stop lying to ourselves. If we want the world to be a better place, then do it. Show that you have the spirit in you to inspire others to shape this world into what we as a species want. If we cannot muster the desire to enact change, then do we truly want it?

He who cannot show his desire with action is he who does not truly believe in such desires. So let us back up our conviction with action.

We have always had the power to change the world for the better, but for us to fight for what we believe in, we must first believe in ourselves. Despair is contagious, but so is Hope. Bring hope into the lives of others, and soon Hope will be that which dominates.

Remember, there is no future but that which we make for ourselves. Be the light that inspires others to want to make the world a better place not only for ourselves, but for the sake of future generations who will judge us by the world we leave to them.

Every human on this planet has that power. The power to envision what he wants in life, and to join others in bringing about that vision.

Now then, show it to me.  (late 2.5)