The one thing that will bring this country down is not Republicans, not Democrats, not power mongers, not CNN or Fox News. The one thing that will make it all fall apart is believing the House of the US of A, is deeply divided.  Too many Americans falling for this lie forced upon us by the storytellers who need the division to keep the story going.

We hear all day, every day about the deep divide, the hatred, the troubles between political parties, friends and family. The racial abyss that can never be crossed. The liberal agenda, the conservative plan to destroy this country. This is the biggest lie ever perpetrated on the American people.

I know, you think I’m nuts. How can I not see what destruction the other guy is trying to wreak in our lives? Actually, the “other guy” is mostly a sought out event uncovered by “journalists” looking for anything ranging from minimal disruptions to horrific devastations. And they can find them every day, but these events are not representative of this nation. Read that again. If it were true, you would see much more about this, close to home and in your own life.

How many people do you think have had your credit card? Thousands? Every time you paid for something, someone had your credit card information.  How many of them stole your identity? For most of us none and for some of those that have it stolen, it was their very own family or friend. This sort of activity is the exception, not the rule. But the media needs you worried, afraid and tuning in to make sure you stay up on all they ways you could be taken out. Your fear and anxiety get you to click and they make money.

You are falling for a media trick even the media has forgotten they are perpetrating on the country. At least I hope they have because otherwise, they are the most despicable of all. I think the media believes they are doing what is right to expose and “inform” but much of the media machine is about generating fear and divisiveness so you’ll keep tuning in.

I’ve written about this before, the turning of the news broadcast from a series of educational facts and events meant to inform about our world, to a money making venture that required large numbers of viewers. What is the result? Fires, wrecks and stories that pit one person against another, often David and Goliath stories where the little guy wins. Stories of corruption and devastation. Luckily, these stories are far and few between. Unfortunately, media then must exaggerate and embellish and talk about whatever story they can, for as long as they can, with whatever “expert” or talking head they can find.

Eventually, Americans become immune, because we can’t take it over and over again. So the media ramps it up, gives emotions to politicians, makes guesses as to what peoples’ intentions are, and suggests scandals at every opportunity.  This has led to the conspiracy theory boom in recent years.  The National Enquirer was a rag we laughed at when we found a copy in Aunt Mildred’s bathroom with hyped conspiracy theories we all knew were too bizarre to be believed.

We all knew no one was crazy enough to believe that garbage… but hmmm… now it seems we’ve got plenty of folks who do. Why? Because it’s become mundane just like the rest of the the “news”. It seems normal. Because media of all kinds portrays it that way.

So glad you read this far, because there is good news. The vast majority of people are good, maybe misinformed, maybe misunderstood (including you and me) but ultimately just want to get along and be safe. The antidote is to actually get to know your neighbor, to relax, breathe and begin to look around at what is in your neighborhood you need to understand better.

Be careful of the biggest lie of all – that we can’t get along – that we can’t understand one another – that we don’t have common goals – because guess what, we do.

It’s widely reported by conservatives who make this stuff up all the time, so, it must be true, yes? Have to keep that divide going or maybe we’ll find a way to talk to each other. And the right is full of hate as well. Everyone hates everyone.

But what if we found we didn’t hate each other? What if it turns out it’s not true? Hate is a big word. An inflammatory word. There may be a small part of the population that is in full hatred mode, but I don’t think it is the majority of folks.

What if we didn’t fall for that characterization?? Believe it without question?

Then, oh-the-horror to politicians that need the divide, maybe we’ll find a way to get along. Maybe we’ll figure out what we want in common.

Then! Maybe we won’t need politicians who look for ways to make themselves and other rich people richer as the main goal in serving this country.

THEN We might boot them out of office.

THEN!! We vote in folks who want to fix problems, not just be right, or in control, or force their narrow agenda. The world might become a better place…

I vote for that.     Literally…  I vote for that.

When the video of the United Airlines passenger, forcibly removed from the aircraft, went viral, it showed how appalled Americans feel at the willingness of the United Continental corporation to treat customers like cattle. The callous words of the CEO added fuel to the fire. This is not the problem in itself, it is a symptom of a world where humans have become devalued by the corporate and political system.

I’m sure the United CEO wishes he had spoken more eloquently. I’m sure he wishes that he had spoken differently, not because what happened was wrong in his eyes, but because it caused a dip in the value of the company’s stock and may affect traveler numbers. But, I’m also sure he’s not too worried because Americans have short memories and feel powerless to stand up for themselves.

It is the sincere wish of United Continental that this fade to the background as quickly as possible. Then they can go on with their policies, the media will move on as it is no longer a shocking story – just every day – and people will continue to be treated badly without any recourse. Other stories are surfacing but it is only a matter of time before this all just goes away.

There is a law that caps how much a passenger can be compensated but the airlines are not required to go that limit. United opted not to offer the max by less than half. If you have a compelling reason to stay on the plane, it doesn’t matter as flight crews do not have a say in that decision. Hmmm, I wonder how those laws and regulations came about? Legislatures. That’s how that came about. You have little power, unless, you take it. How to do that?

Pay attention to your representatives actions and votes. Do they lean toward corporation rights or consumer rights? for workers rights? family rights? or human rights? How they vote is how they will take care of you. You can’t go by what they say. Politicians know how to say what you want to hear, but then vote very differently. People in this country are treated pretty shabbily as we become smaller and smaller cogs in the big business machine without unions or politicians who have our back.

See what your representatives do, not what they say and take action. Let them know they are replaceable. That will get their attention.

Be a voice for bringing humanity back to America.

http://www.latimes.com/business/lazarus/la-fi-lazarus-united-low-priority-passenger-20170412-story.html