WOW! We’ve been caught. By our friend in the mirror. By our collective conscience. We let our guard down, got politically lazy, missed the signs of a well-organized right-wing takeover, and are now playing catch-up in a dangerous game of “Can We Save Our Democracy?”
We are being reminded that laws and policies and ordinances and the Constitution are only as good as the integrity of their implementation and management…accountability and inspired leadership being critical components of their effectiveness. We The People are called to be good stewards of our experience with self-governance. However, we let ourselves down and have endangered our children’s future. But, bless our little hearts, we thankfully have chances to redeem ourselves. Join me in this consideration.
“CLEAN-UP ON AISLE DEMOCRACY”
While we were poorly fighting the distracting culture wars, the better-organized far right had Project 2025, effective think tank strategists, and considerable funding to catch us notably off balance. And they worked through this Administration to target our schools, media, healthcare, justice system, gun laws, etc., to threaten the integrity of this American experiment. We’d be doomed were it not for the phenomenal arrogance and incompetence of those in this Administration. This West Texas bar signage bears witness…The ignorance is so pervasive that many doors are being opened for the good gals/guys (we/us) to come to our rescue.
THE EMPEROR’S CLOTHES ARE RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING…
What a mess Trump and associates have made in Washington! And Elon “DOGE” Musk and an inexperienced incompetent Cabinet are the icing on a rotten cake. Recent storm challenges and international issues have reminded us of the importance of responsive government. FEMA and USAID are just two examples of critically necessary support systems that the insecure political hacks want to shift to local responsibility (community, county, state, etc.), to avoid taking responsibility where it belongs. We designed central management systems (government) to facilitate more effective response to large-scale challenges. Crisis relief, power grids, mass transportation, border controls and pandemic response being a few examples of same.
SO, WHAT DO WE DO MONDAY?
I think most of us can agree that while we might have been busy, we haven’t been effective in countering this rightwing coup. Yet once again, we’re given more chances to redeem ourselves. Your guesses will often be better than mine, but here are a few suggestions to prompt your reflection on how you and yours might raise your citizenship game.
—Start carefully considering your midterm candidates, issues and votes
—Align yourself with the best non-profit organizations that champion your issues
—Read and seek to be better informed. Do personal audit of your news sources…upgrade where helpful
—Make sure your political reps are focusing on your critical issues ( education, healthcare, social justice, power grid, guns, children’s issues), not confused by frivolous distractions. They CANNOT govern effectively without reaching across the aisle. Challenge your elected reps to do just that and report same to their constituents.
—Encourage your children to gain exposure to civics and governance courses. Look over their shoulders to upgrade your grasp of same.
—Encourage a positive focus on diversity, inclusion and LGBTQ+ issues…WOKE is good…
—Tip Generously…even in non-traditional circumstances…
—Keep the arts, music, poetry, dance, theater in your life…to smooth the edges…
—Put away electronics at the dining table so that you can discuss personal news and the issues of the day.
—Make TRUTH a hallmark of your personal and civic discourse. Be a role model for truthful exchange…
IN CLOSING…
This has been a tough chapter in our young nation’s history. But this evolving country of diverse flawed citizens has accomplished alot, and we have many more opportunities to discover and realize. I’m counting on my grandchildren to rise to their occasion to achieve better, but I owe it to them to chart the best course I can. I move ahead with many notes of caution, but am grateful for the good folks who join me in this adventure in community building. May the Gods of Our Understanding bless us all on our journey. TOGETHER.