Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted from many politicians’ hammerings, hollering, hooting and hogwash. Whether conservative, liberal, far right, far left, or upside down, I am plain old exasperated.

We have fallen into a seemingly endless and worsening abyss of political uproar.  We need a break from Trump vs. anybody, “woke” whining, Supreme Court stews, and the supposed weaponization of everything, including thugs. 

Without a behavioral shift, I fully expect COVID to return with a vengeance about the same time we vote in 2024.  A tornado, floods, and record snowfalls will follow an earthquake somewhere.  We will hear families yelling and witness friendships ending as we go down the exact pitiful political path, heading in the same direction to nowhere. 

Conspiracy theories will continue to squelch truth, and the word ‘trust’ will only apply to our loyal four-legged friend, the dog.  Racism, antisemitism, riots and blame will rule the days, followed by sleepless, nightmarish nights.  

Do any of us desire this scenario?  Gosh, I hope not.  I strongly feel that the quiet majority are courteous, friendly, reasonable, patriotic Americans. However, their voices should rise fearlessly to end the dysfunction and destruction. These folks appear underrepresented today because most government leaders are too damaged, entrenched in their power, and terrified to mess with the mess. 

My brilliant cousin is a conservative Republican who is a long-time pal of a former Democratic Vice-President. 

“How in the world do you two get along?” I asked my cousin recently.

“Oh, we don’t agree on many things, but we agree that our friendship is more important than our political disagreements,” he replied.

When do we understand that America is more important than our political conflicts?  Our allegiance to a party or a politician should not come before our commitment to maintaining democracy and peace.

Some folks believe we will lose our freedoms if we don’t elect their preferred candidate.  We all lose if we don’t demand better representation from leaders determined to work together to improve our many problems.

Most agree that neither Trump nor Biden should be running for President because of their ages.  Americans need a change and fresh, healing air.  These gentlemen should step aside and give the country a much-needed reprieve from the turmoil, anger, and angst. 

The Washington Wars, the Culture Wars, and the constant blame throwers wound us. We are tired of those who remain in Congress far longer than they need to and weary of party lines so rigid and taut that folks do nothing but trip over them. 

So, what can we do?  

How do our representatives know how we feel if we don’t share our opinions?  They are our voice in government, but how do they govern without hearing the people? Our patriotic duty is not only shown by voting but in our actions. If you want your voice heard, call or email your congressional leaders. It takes about five minutes to show you care.

If we engage in common sense changes and better conduct as a nation, we can alter our path from nowhere to somewhere.  

Everyone is busy espousing the need for better morals in our country. We develop laws to protect against many things, from violence to abortion. How can the government dictate moral behavior yet not demand that our leaders be ethical?  Some speak with a forked tongue, forgetting that no sin is greater than the other. 

Often, we hear or read only what we want to believe instead of taking the time to research where the truth lies. It is our duty to our nation to stay informed and not rely on assumptions or social media.

My heart hurts when I read the history of my ancestors who sailed the seas to establish a country free from tyranny and freedom to pray.  They were led by gallant leaders who banded together, fought for their rights, and crafted the U.S. Constitution. These immigrants from around the world developed this great nation and defended it through every struggle it incurred over the next 247 years.  

Through all our battles, we united to defeat our enemies and strengthen our nation.  We can do it again with our determined and kindred spirit.

Shouldn’t our leaders care enough for us to lay their egos down, hear our pleas, and get to work?  Let’s do the right things that make us proud to be American and God’s children.

“Let us not despair but act.  Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer.  Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past.  Let us accept our own responsibility for the future,” President John F. Kennedy