Independence – Day and Minds

As we celebrate this Day of Independence dating back to 1776 I think it would be a good thing if we transported ourselves back to that date and revisited the feelings and issues of that era. What were the people of colonial America aiming for? They claim to have been interested in being a free nation from the governance strictures and burdens of England. They felt worse than second class citizens. More like non-citizens, unrepresented but taxed just the same. A form of servitude, actually.

From that status they wished for full freedom to build their own nation and future. They so claimed and acted on it.

Today the United States of America is a free standing nation respected the world over and a friend to most nations that wish to be so counted. It took centuries of hard work and sacrifice to get where we are. It will take even more to retain our freedom and success as a nation.

All that is in peril, however. The common enemy that creates this peril is the same as has shocked England recently. Voter apathy and voter ignorance about current events and issues of importance. Voters simply did not pay attention or understand what they were voting on and thus they are facing separation from their European counterparts in the European Union. Shocking as this is it is very true and tragic. Everyone assumed the UK citizens understood the complicated issues of the day. They did not. They still do not.

The same is happening in America. And if you wish proof, I hold up to you the image of a Trump presidency. Enough said!

There is a lot of hurt within the American people today. Many have lost jobs and cherished careers. Change has disrupted their employment, endangered their life styles, threatened loss of their homes, cars and health care. While all of this goes on domestically our elected representatives in Congress (both House and Senate members) cannot get along with one another or compromise enough to get important work done. They thwart the Supreme Court. They endanger our diplomatic staff with under budgeting for their security and protection, they engulf us in wars of little strategic promise, and waste our partner status with foreign allies.

Instead of fielding a tried and true political leader with credentials of understanding and breadth of vision, the republican party has accepted Donald Trump as their presidential nominee. How did they get there? How did they get in the position of foisting this undesirable character into the limelight of presidential politics?

Ask the British people how they got to where they are. It is the same dynamic as here in America. Too many people focus on their personal situations and not that of the nation. They focus on issues not policies. They look at short term outcomes and hopes rather than long term goals and strategies. They simply don’t understand how the government works so they distrust it and turn that into a punishment for the unknown enemy they don’t even understand.

This is the picture of ignorance. I’m not saying stupidity, just ignorance. They don’t understand and worse, they don’t seem to want to understand. Instead they naively defend their ignorance.

The same holds true for white supremacists. Klu Klux Klan can be added to the list. GOP supporters as well who don’t understand their own party and take responsibility for changing it when it is wrong or headed in the wrong direction. Bad things come from these decisions of inaction.

President Obama has said no decision on gun violence measures is a decision. Just not the right one. No one has said how to fix this problem but it is clear that gun violence will continue to be our national nightmare until we begin to discuss solutions that will work and still be within the Second Amendment of the Constitution. This can be done. But it won’t be done until we decide to do something about it.

No decision is a decision.

Britain without the EU is also a decision no matter how poorly it was made.

And so it will be with America’s future if we don’t demand that ignorant citizens become schooled in basic civics and responsible voting. America’s democracy was hard fought and secured over the centuries with much blood and courage. It still needs these sacrifices if we are to continue enjoying the promise of freedom and the American future.

This is July 4, 2016. Answer the call to secure future July 4^th’s for the future. Help make American Democracy work again long into the future.

July 4, 2016