What Can We Do?

For the very first time in my life, I am worried about America. I’ve just seen too many things happen recently. Mass shootings, Russian interference, the ignoring of climate change, the trashing of our environment in the name of “cutting regulations,” heartless executive actions, our increased lack of respect in the world, the breakdown of how congress works (or doesn’t), many many scandals in the White House, the normalization of gas-lighting and lying, and about a million more.

But those things honestly are not what worry me. No, most of those problems are “up there” in Washington, or someplace far away from me. Politicians will always be assholes. But I’ve always had confidence that Americans will recognize the BS and vote them out. But no more. No, I'm surprised by the large number of normal people who either don’t care about those things, or even more amazingly, actively support them. Or maybe don’t even know about them because of the limited one-sided news they consume.

In any crisis, we basically have two choices: try to make a difference and change it (fight), or just accept it, hope for the best, and try to stay sane (chill). Neither one of those choices is the “right” choice. It depends on who you are, and what you have the power to do.

Some complain when athletes or actors talk about their political or social beliefs. But I understand it. Most of us don’t have much of a stage. We’re pretty unknown. But let’s take LeBron or Chuck Norris. They have a stage, and they choose to use it. Not because they hate America. On the contrary, they talk about their beliefs because they love this country and they want to make it better. They could go the other way, of course. Like Tiger or Michael Jordan. Those two both pretty much avoid any kind of political or social statement. Neither way is “right.” But for me, I think I'm more LeBron than Tiger.

So what can we do? As for me, I’m a little old to run for congress, and I don’t think Marcy Kaptur is retiring any time soon. We all can vote, call our congressman… and most of us do those things. 

Or we can choose to put stuff on Facebook--which sometimes I do. That’s the biggest stage I have. But that normally just pisses people off. It rarely helps; many times it actually hurts.

The only thing I can think of, at least for now, is to put my thoughts in writing, in the hope that some people will read them and get to thinking. And to do so in a way that hopefully inspires thought, not anger. Without making fun of people's opinions, or belittling them in any way. I like to think that if I explain something well enough, it will be fodder for some people’s thoughts. Maybe it won't make any difference.  But hey, I can try.

So in the next few weeks, you’ll see things I’ve written. Most are about politics and the country, but there will be some on other topics, such as social media. I hope they’re read by many people, including those who disagree with me, or else really, what's the point? I hope you’ll find them fair, even if you don’t agree with me. I won’t put these writings on Facebook, but I will link to them there. And twitter as well. 

If you find them interesting or helpful, feel free to share them. If I find they’re getting read, I’ll keep it up. If not, well--nothing ventured, nothing lost, and I’ll move on to something else.

Look for them here. I’m old, not dead, and it would be great to make a difference. We’ll see.