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.
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