Disagree

Please note: This is my once a year political blog for the 4th of July. Every other week, I stay true to my original intent to make an upbeat, happy moment of reading. But I am serious about my love of living in a democracy.

This 4th of July finds our country more deeply divided than ever. It is not hyperbole to say that America’s democracy is in danger. A sizable number of the population has embraced the lies, misogyny and racism that is spewed out 24/7 by the far right. Those who favor this cruelty and authoritarianism would like to think of themselves as super-patriots, decent people. And they often use a manipulative technique when ending one of their hatefests. They try to make cruelty acceptable by saying, “Let’s agree to disagree.”

In my opinion, for the sake of our freedoms, I think it is important to NOT agree to disagree. I will take a stand against anyone who:

• Takes food stamps away from hungry children.
• Believes that guns can solve all of America’s problems.
• Wants to stop marriages between loving couples.
• Takes voting rights away from groups of people they disagree with.
• Thinks health care is only for those who can afford it.
• Believes name-calling and vitriol should take the place of civil discourse.
• Wants their religion taught in public schools.
• Believes that hatred and cruelty are patriotic virtues.
• Wants to replace democracy with a dictator.
• Thinks global climate change is a hoax.

Thurgood Marshall’s words ring with truth: “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”

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