I don’t remember a time in my life when the state of our union has felt more fractured. The opportunity for change feels like a fantasy, as the clear identity of those whose goal is to defeat is seen for its amazingly ugly self.
How do we really allow such hatred and lies to be a vital part of the debate? Why are we so unwilling to take care of us as a people, demanding health care reform that makes life better for all.
I often find myself wondering about patriotism. What does it mean? If I am a patriot then I’m a lover of my country. My country is those who inhabit the land that I do, as well as the land itself. So then what does love mean? Does it mean we take care of each other, live in peace, and form a bond as a people? If so, why aren’t we seeing this regularly reflected in our country?
No doubt love exists in corners, but if patriotism means love of country and love of land, then neither of these are being fulfilled in any way. The land is destroyed regularly through a variety of human activities, and way too many remind us that violence is the only way to get ahead or end pain.
You want love? Look for two people, of any sex, enjoying each other’s company, feeling happy, free, and eminently hopeful. Look for people coming together to build a barn, feed a family, or help an injured person. There are plenty of examples of this happening in our country.
But we also see outrageous amounts of exploitation of humans in a variety of settings, from slavery to sweatshops to parts of the corporate world, each a variety of exploitation in its own way.
Do I experience peace in my community and acts of love: definitely. I am grateful for living in a relatively peaceful community that is largely about being creative, taking care of family, and trying to give back. But with so many elements of society sabotaging the opportunity to build a more perfect union, and profiting from these activities, I find it hard to say I love all aspects of this country.
I don’t feel patriotic. I don’t see much evidence of healthy and respectful debate toward solution of our shared problems. I don’t see enough people willingly coming together to demand change; rather, I listen to the meaningless chatter of those addicted to entertainment and sports to push away the pain of living in a culture that almost forces us to compete against each other. And expects us to love the country at the same time.
I want to be patriotic. I want healthy debate, and I want people to invite politics into our conversations and not be afraid.
I want people to care about our future enough to debate issues and join together to make our communities better.
Is that too much to ask?!!!
