Do Something With It
A Plea For Sanity and Action
Neither Democrats nor Republicans have anything to be proud of this political season in the United States of America (that includes myself). We have all become so partisan and so overwhelmed with the need to be right or be the winner. We know this election will come down to decisions by courts, and nothing we say or do from the sidelines will make any difference now that votes are cast. So how come we are wasting all our energy on this?
May we never lose sight of the fact that our system is designed to allow a variety of voices to be heard. It never guarantees us a right not to be offended by someone, a right not to lose, a right not to ever be wrong. That is not freedom.
Freedom really includes the ability to be wrong, mess up, make incorrect choices. It thus requires responsibility: Responsibility to make amends, Responsibility to be respectful, Responsibility to listen even when you disagree.
If our social interactions on line change nobody's opinion, convince nobody, and don’t have a bearing on the outcome, why are we not focused on solutions? Here are just a few musings from me on where we should begin working together and working on the challenges facing Americans.
1. Care of Children - For the Democrats, if you retain power, use that power to supply real support for struggling parents before they get to the point where children have to go into the foster care system. Do something with your power, please!
For Republicans, if you lose political power does the real work of educating and providing opportunities for children stop? No, volunteer for a reading literacy program, work for equal access to high quality education for all. Do something with your personal power, please!
2. Care for Elderly - For Democrats, create comprehensive legislation to address rights of elderly people with no living relatives, no support systems, a system that perhaps provides advocates for them. Use your political power to make things better!
For Republicans, don't stop fighting for improved choices for Social Security, financial accountability in government, and streamlined access to people who can assist the elderly in receiving services. Don't waste this time! Use your personal power to affect the lives of those in your community!
3. Crime - For Democrats, use your power to create complimentary programs which can assist in resources to de-escalate interactions in under-served communities. Be proactive, don't wait two years to get something done!
For Republicans, continue to work with state legislators in your home states to make our criminal justice system safe for all people in our communities. Get yourself a spot on a community committee, visit prisoners in jail, educate yourselves concerning the suffering of everyone in our communities. Don't waste this time to be humble, to learn, to take decisive action!
Whatever the cause, whatever the issue, we do have ways of coming together, we have ways of getting things accomplished. Our problems in America are local from person to person, and that is where the change begins.
My promise to all my fellow Americans:
I promise not to be mad at you for thinking differently and not understanding me;
I promise to do something every month to help someone else (whether that be a volunteer activity, a random act of kindness, or encouraging someone who is suffering);
I promise to try my best to understand your perspective;
I promise to be nice and kind to you;
I promise to try and make amends when I hurt you;
Please, can you do the same for me?
About the Creator
Cheryl Duffy
Wife to a wonderful man.
Daughter of incredible parents.
Sister to outstanding siblings.
Grandmother of biracial children.
Survivor of physical and sexual abuse.
Educated woman with a wide array of professional experience.
Storied traveler.
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