Easy as apple pie. A no brainer. It’s a simple action we all can take. It takes some willingness to do some google research, reading some political platforms and watching carefully if your representatives are voting in a way that matches the promises. Know what you want and hold your representatives to that standard. Talk. To. Your. Neighbors. Talk to people in other districts, respectfully and with a willingness to hear how others see issues. Have a conversation.
This change of focus is 180 degrees. A focus away from helplessness and giving our power to others, to one of hope and action, turning toward what is good, what is valued, what is right. Every look back into history shows that eventually good overcomes destruction. In this time of human evolution, we are looking to overcome the insidious dysfunction that may lead to an impending destruction of democracies here and around the world. The dysfunction is in how we talk to each other, how we see each other, how we fall for anything that matches our world view. We need to open our minds, talk to each other and find common ground in our common values.
The nervousness in this country is from a deep knowing that potential evil is loose and an abiding uncertainty we are unable to stop it. Good news, we can stop it. Its what Americans are made of, its what we love best, when good finds its power to keep the world safe. Every blockbuster Hollywood film has this as its theme, the heroine always wins. We can win too.
We have been hoping our representatives had it under control. We thought they could find a way through the gridlock to get something done. Never happened. We can march, protest and make calls until the cows come home, and that is an important part of the process, but the action that will make lasting change is the one that lets your representative know what you want and to see results in congressional actions, to talk to others, broaden the discussion to create solutions.
Values. Morals. Ethics. This is the focus that can bring us together. All people have the same needs and wants, the same desire for clean air, water, food, education, access to healthcare and appropriately used taxes. The question is how to go about accomplishing those goals, finding the balance between unwieldy government overreach, protection of the disenfranchised and protection of the populace from unethical practices.
As I say over and over again, this is not a Republican or Democratic issue. There is a lens from which to find candidates, people that will work together with the opposite party to find solutions based in common values. Remember that solutions are not a one shot deal. It is a process that grows and changes as the country and its people grow and change.
Trump policies could also be the focus that brings various groups together and that is already happening. Find, encourage and vote for candidates that will work as Senator Warren or Senator McCain or any other politicians who want to work for the common good of this country together. That is the lens that will save us all.