11/03/2024
I am receiving endless texts and emails asking for money to support President Biden, the Democrats and various Democratic candidates: money that will defeat the evil Trump and his minions. But, I have to ask myself, what does this money actually do? Does it educate anyone? Does it make people actually think about political issues and choices? Or is it just for more messages asking for money to defeat the evil Trump and his minions?
Sadly, American politics has become them vs us. No doubt my friends in the Republican party are receiving similar requests for money to defeat the evil Biden and his minions.
I am tired of blaming, shaming, and othering. I want politics about issues. Think of the questions we as a country need to address. Perhaps the biggest questions of all are as much theological as political. Should we accept that we are entering the "End Times?" Should we emulate the Bible in preparation for those days of tribulation? Or perhaps we should take today's many problems as a challenge to make more of this planet over which we have stewardship.
Those people on our border: Are they a threat or are they the hungry and poor in need of our charity; refugees whom we might succor or leaches whom we should expel?
How should AI function while respecting our "inalienable rights?" When does free speech on social media become abuse of the right to the pursuit of happiness?
No! I will not be sending money to those fund raisers; at least not until they begin meaningful debate, not until they begin offering access to their discussions, not until I believe that they believe in true democracy, the kind of democracy that begins with people, normal, average people, citizens like you and me, talking together and deciding what we want for our lives, for our common goals, for our personal freedoms, and for our laws and rules.
