An open letter to fellow Americans
Dear America,
When did we accept hatred as the standard? When did we decide that after almost a century of progress it was perfectly ok to allow unrestrained racists, sexists, bigots, misogynists, warmongers and fearmongers to be our leaders again? When did we decide that it was better to praise and follow the blindly faithful and ignorant rather than the logical and intelligent?
How did we get to this place where our choices for leadership from one party includes a zealot and a narcissist and the other side is a corporate shill and an idealist?
The one side became polarized over the past 30 years or so because they allowed special interests, religious fanatics and closeted bigots gain control. And they wonder why they cannot stop this monster Dr. Frankenstein has unleashed on us?
The other side became polarized over the past 30 years or so because they allowed special interests, a lack of conviction and an unclear agenda gain control. And they wonder why so many distrust the party leaderships’ Chosen One and prefer the idealist?
Do you want this country to return to segregation, to the failed principles of separate but equal? Do you want the corporate bosses to be your slave masters again? Do you really want to see those who are poor and disabled and hurting simply left to die? Do you want to allow the greedy to destroy this planet so they can turn ludicrous profits that never trickle down to anyone else? Do you want to live your life in fear?
This is what you have to take into consideration when it comes to the election this year. I am not just talking about the Presidency, I am talking about ALL of those up for reelection. Congress has become an obstructionist mouthpiece of those who pay for their elections. Special interests and corporate hacks have taken control, and they will not stop until the rich are so rich that they can afford to leave the planet they are destroying, while the rest of us let them take everything we hold dear and wonder where it all went wrong.
Fear is not a healthy basis for a system of government. Hate, exclusionism, greed, racism, bigotry, misogyny and sexism are all just alternate versions of fear. Fear enslaves us to the will of others, and those who have the power continue to make it clear that they want only to garner more power.
Please stop being afraid, America. Please stop fearing change, stop fearing the unknown, stop being afraid of anyone and anything different from you. Please remember that our Declaration of Independence that was the blueprint for the forming of this nation says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
America is not a land of Christians only. It is not a land of Whites only. America is not a land of men only. It is not a land of rich only. It is NOT a nation of exclusion – American was founded on the principles of inclusion.
Building walls to keep out those who are different is not American. Creating laws that forbid marriage is not American. Creating laws that belittle ANY citizen, black or white, man or woman, gay or straight, religious or atheist is NOT American. We are a nation of tolerance, we are a nation of freedom, we are a nation of inclusion…and it is time that we reclaim that.
Please release the fear, America. Isolating ourselves, registering those who hold different beliefs and limiting resources for only the wealthy is what this nation was founded to stand against. What we choose this year will reverberate very differently from our past choices. We can reclaim our nation from the greedy, from the special interests, from those who don’t care about us but only about themselves…or we can give them even more power, and disempower ourselves and let America truly cease to be great.
Fear is not the answer. Fear is un-American. Please, please examine this and consider if you want to empower the people who only take, and are giving nothing back to you but fear, death, poverty, and war.
Is being American about being afraid? No.
Please stop being afraid, America. For the sake of us all, for the sake of our children, do not let fear make your decision in these elections.
With Respect,
A concerned American.
Follow me here!
