Can One Person Truly Make A Difference? To Anyone?

If there be any particular theme to this moment on the journey through the episodes of 2018, it could well be a continuing attempt to answer this question. Here are just a couple of humble examples I submit for your consideration:



Did this man do this amazing thing by himself? No, absolutely not. But he was the first among those who did this amazing thing. He saw a wrong, and tried to make it better. Based upon this story, I'd say he did that in a truly amazing way.

One of the realities before us in 2018 in the United States and around the world is that there is an all-out, open, arrogant and casual assault upon the truth. I need not itemize even a few of the lowlights of this battle which we see playing itself out in the United States of America before our eyes.

But, is it possible for one person to take on such a battle, alone? And win?

Consider this:


One of the proudest moments I can have as The Tennessee Progressive is when I get the opportunity to interact with folks who stand up, step out, and move forward. There are 10,000 who quietly engage the world where they live to become the change they seek for every one who, for one reason or another, rise to the level of public hero.

But there is something they all share. They cannot NOT do something. They cannot see a problem, or a difficulty, a challenge, or a wrong--and do nothing. Waiting for someone else to "fix" it just is not within their DNA.

We have  historically been, as a nation, a people filled with this reality. From time to time on my personal journey, I have met such people. I love talking with them, engaging them in civil discourse. It's kind of what I do.

It is not that you are not one of these people. It is that you believe a lie; that you are not, or should not be one of these quiet heros. Democracy, our uniquely American way of life is dependent upon citizen not only realizing the lie, but the truth which defeats that lie.

In the not-too-distant future, we will be a nation experiencing the implosion of those who would lead us with lies. I want to believe with all my heart that we, citizen, will not only rise up in truth, but in the iron-willed determination to do whatever is necessary to return our American democracy back to the humble, yet lofty reality it deserves--even if we do not.

I wonder.

The Tennessee Progressive

PPTS March 11, 2018 "When Bad Things Happen"

Link to the show

Believe it or not, this has been a relatively slow week in American politics. Let that sink in for a moment. 

I leave it to you to figure out how many days, or weeks, or months, or years we have been under the influence (witting or unwitting) of Donald J. Trump. What we cannot say is that any of us have not been under said influence. 

And, it seems that the only news we have gotten is bad. It has been bad for us at our kitchen tables, at our City Council tables, at our State Legislature conference tables, and at our Federal board room tables. The only difference is that federal level conference tables usually (but not always) include drinks and light snacks.

Where does it matter to you the most? I mean, personally. If you can figure that one out, then answer (or try to) the question: "Why?"

Historically, American citizens have been known for several things. One of them has been the belief in right and wrong--not moral relativity. Things are right, or things are wrong. How you might feel about one or the other is what makes debate in the public commons so very important that we dared to protect that discourse through our Constitution. 

One of my favorite professors always tended to begin his discourse with:
"Yes, a thing might be "right" or "wrong". But, what is the "right" thing to do?"

The wisdom of this question should not be missed. His question used to almost bring us students out of our silo of "definite conviction" and into discussion, debate...discourse. Surprisingly, and much moreso of late than previously, conservatives seem to have a decided problem with such notions, and categorize such discourse as "liberal indoctrination". "Leftist" or "Socialist" or "Communist" are terms readily employed by those who fear intellectual discourse. Not, mind you, the actual discourse obtained, but rather the very idea of having discourse at all. Thinking is dangerous to many folks these days, it would seem. 

I am of the opinion that the reason why the answer to the question "So what are YOU going to DO about it?" is because we never make it that far in our commons discourse these days. You can't get to the "How" of a thing if you never get to the "Why?" or the "What?" of a thing. 

You may safely believe that this is a known reality and strategy of those who would not have discourse, much less reasoned, respectful, honest public discourse. Such a strategy only requires one thing to be missing for such tragic consequences as we are witnessing today. They just need you to shut up, believe what they tell you, question nothing, and get out of their way.

The surprising part of this for me is that, in these days so perilous for our democracy, their strategy is working so effectively. 

Yes, there is something you can do about it. Do not allow public discourse in the public commons to die, or to be eliminated. Register to vote, and make certain you are both registered and qualified to vote. VOTE. Become an activist for the cause of your passion. Stand up. Step out. Show off. 

I dare you. Democracy begs you. BE citizen, especially in these bad times. Everything we hold dear depends upon it. Right now. Yes, you.