I’ve noticed since the inauguration of President Obama an uptick in the
rhetoric and not so veiled threats to the president and our country.
Fueled by talking heads like like Sean Hannity, Alan Keys and Rush
Limbaugh, as they argued that President Obama must be stopped at any
cost, it has progressed into the formation of a political party (the
Tea Party), who’s sole purpose seems to be to “take our country back”,
which sounds more like rallying cry for a coup than a tag line for a
political movement. Many in this movement are quick to associate any
humility or deference to the needs of the world at large, as treasonous
or at a minimum unpatriotic. Those who have lit this fuse appear willing
to say anything, to keep their ratings up and their pockets lined on
the pretext of preserving the American way.

First, let me say
that I do not wish to exists at any cost. If I must cast off all that I
am, and myself become an abomination to myself and others, I would
rather that I not have been born at all. And likewise for this country,
if we yield to the vulgar nature of fear and loathing to continue our
existence then we have already forsaken all those things we claim to
be, and we make a mockery of the creed “One Nation Under God”.

Secondly, it seems equally clear to me that “we” must push against the
current of hate and rage, with all the vigor of our beings, that all
that we have worked for may not perish from the face of the earth. Yes,
this country is at great risk right now, but not from anything President
Obama has done, but rather from the lips of those who oppose
freedom when the candidate of their choice is not elected. Where were
these voices the previous eight years? With very few exceptions, those
clamoring the loudest to that we are on the wrong track, are the very
same ones who sold and embarrassed themselves for the previous
administration. Where was their outrage then?

Thirdly, we must
confess that we are a country of morally dishonest people when it comes
to politics. We take up truths that line up with our predetermined
position or affiliation. Many know the truth but they are too afraid to
say it. The truth is, that President George H Bush (the father) was a
good president. He corrected the fiscal policies for President Reagan,
that led to the last major recession. President Reagan was a great
leader, but his policies were very flawed. President Clinton benefited
from President Bush’s fiscal policy, but had the good sense to build
upon them. And as the years pass and the media spin wears off,
President Carter will look better and better. While not right on
everything, he was right on so much, that we as a nation were just not
ready to hear (he called for energy independence before it was a cool
thing to do).

So, the question in my mind is just how do we
change the conversation? How do we affect change, such that we speak
and act upon real issues and not rhetoric and blind ideology born out
of fear of those different from ourselves?

We write.

We write upon this gigantic blackboard called the Internet. We write to
newspapers large and small. We write to the radio stations that
broadcast programs that prey upon our fears and promote incivility. We
write to our legislators and congress persons. We write articles,
opinion pieces and letters to national and local magazines. We write
anywhere where we have the right to express ourselves and our shared
belief of a better existence here in this life. We write the truth, no
matter how painful it may be, whether it benefits us personally or not,
and whether it offends or not. We must have faith in the truth, and
that by its inherent power; we will be delivered from this current
climate of bitterness and deceit.

Lastly, let us remember that
nothing is impossible for those who have faith in what is good and
just. Whether we see the harvest in our generation, does not matter in
comparison to the preservation of the process, built upon the belief
that all men are created equal, and that we might pass this hope along
to future generations, granting them the faith to continue on…

Sincerely,
Alan Jones