Perhaps that is what we need, an atmosphere, an environment conducive to forming, having, a dream. For daring to think of a time when all can be better, when war is no more, when hate is no more. When funds are spent on medical needs and discoveries and food is plentiful for all. Pipe dreams? Maybe. But then again, go back one century, compare notes on life then and now. Why can we have changed the world so, yet find ourselves back at the same points of crises, the same hostilities, the same anger, the same hate, the same irritants between powers, all the issues over which wars have been waged and what has happened as a result? Yes, there have been achievements, no doubt; however, are these good happening and developments allowed to go unchallenged? Unfortunately not.
Democracies are challenged in countries which had finally established it within their borders after overthrowing the occupiers. Borders are now being challenged, and one can track these same challenges down through the years of past centuries. Seemingly, nothing changes, ever.
There is a phrase in Hebrew whose meaning and implications for the Jewish people is quite telling. "Bechol dor v'dor" - in every generation - there arises someone, something, which desires to destroy us. This is applicable to the world at large. Look around - sects of the same religion killing each other, turning on family members, chasing down those who believe or worship otherwise, or whose nationality or color of skin or ethnicity offends them. Some of these campaigns of hate have been ongoing for centuries.
To me, at present, is the shock and dismay observing the deterioration of a once great country, a people who took the best of is citizens, old and new, melded and meshed and mixed, promoted education and rights, led the world in so many ways, fought for the world, and now? Now, we are a nation riven, turning on each other, forgetting shared histories and similarities. Worst of all, we are participating, encouraging, the loss of democracy and promoting fascism, Fascism, and a rollback of all the rights we have done, all the changes and improvements to our national ethos, to loyalty to each other.
Essentially, we have become a nation of two Parties. The GOP vs. The Democratic Party. No independent thinking. No ousting of dangerous outliers, and in fact, accepting them with open arms, challenging each other to outdo the next with wild statements and accusations, stunning those who know better with their dangerous ignorance and their nefarious plans for takeover. Sounds crazy, right? Takeover? Have I jumped the shark?
Nope. While, as yet, the Democratic Party is more principled than the GOP, there is danger afoot, lurking not only on the edges of the nation, but within its very body and soul. States are now designated either one Party or the other, legislatures passing laws a la their Party's viewpoint, playing musical chairs with the lives of the populace, creating havoc with everchanging unreliable laws, encouraging willful ignorance and nastiness, even rebellion against this nation.
The question is, do we have a nation anymore? Or has it passed that point, with an inevitable end to a wonderful experiment of humanity?
Almost since the day he took office I have been warning re DeSantis. His inherent fascism was blatant. He proudly stated in so many ways that he used his governor's office as a tool to impose his rules, his opinions, his thoughts, on the people of Florida and if elected to President - G-d forbid - he will do the same on a more consequential stage, with an impact upon the world. A Krakatoa in the world of politics and humanity. Another candidate in the GOP states the same thing. And today, there is an article calling DeSantis a Fascist. There will be more. No doubt. Unfortunately.
Are we doing anything about this? Do we actually want to? Or are we going to take what we think is the easier, more comfortable, inconsequential road and hide our heads in the sand, claim no part of this, declare neutrality, and think nothing will happen? Wrong, for we have learned at great cost that to stand aside, to claim no connection, is to be complicit in the spread of evil and hate, of violence, and catastrophic bloodshed.
It is tempting. We all have had a great weekend or week where we were too busy with other matters to pay attention to the depressing and aggravating news. It is a pleasure, the acidic stomach disappearing. But the permanent way in which to ensure our nation' survival as a strong democracy, a forward looking population, one united, trusting, loyal Americans, native and new is to be a participant for the good.
Working together for the good is the only way to defeat those working together to impose their will upon us. Together we can do it but only if we are strong in the determination to save this nation from its own detractors and enemies within. If we do not, the picture is not pretty. Maybe not for tomorrow or even next year, but next term, the following term - not a positive thought there - unless we wake up to dangers we try to ignore. And work together as one positive force.
Together. Together. Together.
Only together.
Together.
Together - Together we can achieve it all.
Together we can
HEAL THE WORLD.
HEAL YITZY!
Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah
May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu.
May he be granted a timely and complete healing.
May he always remain on the road of faith, healing and strength.
May we all walk on that same road.
May Hashem hear all our voices raised in prayer.
Amen. Amen.
Reject the hatred. Work together, not at odds with each other.
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