It’s been a few weeks since I posted something political; I’ve been working through what I wanted to say. While I remain disgusted about what’s going on in Washington, I also am exhausted by it. Maintaining that much rage and anger take A LOT of energy, and I’ve run out of steam. Here’s the thing: EVERYONE is sick to death of talking about politics. But I am sad; I am afraid for future generations of children born in the U.S. I am not hopeful for the country we will leave behind.
Racism and xenophobia are real issues we must deal with, as they are a continuing threat to our public integrity and our civil rights. Protectionist trade policies damage the U.S. economically. Isolationist practices—such as withdrawing from global agreements—significantly weaken the U.S. position as a global leader and threaten our national security.
So are repeated acts of terror and violence, by whites (today’s mass shooting in Orlando, FL) and by people of color who do not follow the true path of Allah (Manchester and London). These weaken our social bonds and drive us to fear and hate our fellow man.
We also must address the increasing wealth inequality, and the socio-economic damage it is causing this nation. Life in the U.S. will continue to get harder for people not born into extraordinary wealth—regardless of their race, religion, sexual or gender orientation.
It will get harder for children to do better than their parents.
Harder for average families to send their children to college, without burdening those children with crippling post-secondary educational debt.
Harder for people to get the medical care they need, and harder for people to find houses they can afford.
Harder for people to find jobs that pay them a living wage, and harder for people to commute to those jobs in a manner that does not leave them anxious and exhausted from a multi-hour, traffic-jammed trip home.
Harder for people to retire, and harder for people to live the remainder of their lives with dignity and grace.
We are hurting; we are afraid; we do not believe that our government understands or cares about the needs of the people which it governs. And this president’s nationalist rhetoric provides no relief, no hope; it amplifies our pain, fear, and anger. It makes the issues we face as a nation so much worse.
Some idealize the U.S. of the recent past as glorious, epic and prosperous. For some, it was, but for others this past America was anything but dreamy. More of us can prosper; more of us can thrive.
I ask you this: if you could make this country anything you wanted, what sort of country would you build? What kind of country do you want to leave your children, and your grandchildren?