Collapse and Chaos?

I read an article the other day that predicts that because America is broken, collapse and chaos will consume the nation. I understand the author’s point of view, and I also have fear that what he says in the article is fairly accurate and possible.

But I hesitate to adopt his argument. Here’s why.

America is a creature of the world. It is that way because our citizens are either new immigrants, or related to immigrants somewhere in their family history. We are not European or South African; nor are we Asian, Australian or Indonesian. We are not South Pacific Islanders, either. Nor are we natives of either the North or South Pole.

We are everyman from everywhere. The roots may be near or far in time, but the roots are definitely not from North America. Well, maybe from North America if your roots are American Native Indian. They are the truer natives of this land. The rest of us came much later in waves of immigration from all over the global community.

We have always lived with chaos due to this melting pot action. It is a constant of our history. And the culture we share is made up of everyone’s. Like it or not, comfortable or not, this is who we are and what we are.

Furthermore, we are a democracy. We all vote for our leaders. We also vote on constitutional changes and other referenda locally that help define how this nation operates. We do this nationally, regionally, statewide, and in counties, townships and towns, villages and cities. We have a voice in how things are done.

Chaos is much more with us these days because citizens have become sloppy in fulfilling their duties. Too many don’t vote at all. Others vote but don’t understand the issues or people they are voting for because they simply haven’t studied the issues or read more deeply of the background of candidates.

Such chaos is normal for a true democracy. And so it is in America.

This chaos creates dislocations in the public’s discussion. We tend to get hotheaded and sometimes physical about disagreements. But that is all part of the messy democracy we have in America.

I would like it to be more orderly. I think better when facts are clearly laid out. Also if optional points of view are viable, I want to fully understand them so I can amend my thinking and point of view. This is an orderly process. It is also more logical and sticks with the facts. Knowing history and understanding it are best practiced using this type of process.

When talk is cheap, emotional and illogical, understanding comes in a poor fourth. Feelings become more important than facts. Yet the facts are what they are and need to be presented clearly and adhered to. Not liking them is not grounds for ignoring them. Use them and move on.

Frank open discussion helps us all understand what we are dealing with. Science is a tool not an end. Economic data is just that – data; analyzing the data will help understand economic cause/effect/result but only if you keep an eye clearly on the facts. Politics, too, are best served with a fresh dose of facts and clear headed logic. If it is emotional, violent or inanely silly, then we should know that facts are missing. Someone is selling fear in place of facts.

Calm civil discussion will clear the air. We must do more of this and avoid the other.

Leaders lead; they don’t push misinformation and propaganda. Putin does this. So does Trump. So do a lot of White House staffers. If you don’t accept this, go back and get the facts before you emotionally react to my words here.

Truth will out in America. Sometimes it takes time but it will come forward. I rather hope it arrives sooner than later before we twist and warp our democracy any more than it has been so far.

We have work to do people. We live with chaos. But collapse? No; not ever.

Help make this statement true. For my peace of mind and yours, too. This is our land and we make it what we will. That takes nerve, work and sharp thinking.

The time is now.

June 1, 2017