Out of darkness
Dear editor:
On June 19, 2018, Republican strategist Steve Schmidt re-registered as a Democrat and formally withdrew his registration from the GOP over Donald Trump’s policy of separating immigrant families at the U.S. border with Mexico. He also cited Republican leadership for their failure to challenge Donald Trump, saying, “Trump’s ignorance flows like a mighty deluge. It is breathtaking. His innate malice combines with an inherent laziness and weakness to form an almost unstoppable tsunami of stupidity and offensiveness, what a disgrace.”
These are dark days for America now fighting for its survival as a Democratic Republic. There are ongoing protests in the streets. We have an ongoing pandemic and no idea how it will end. The United States economy is a disaster in the making. We are experiencing a recession falling into a depression along with a diplomacy that has failed. We have lost our leadership and influence upon the world. We live in a social culture lacking morality, honesty and justice with a leader absent a moral compass and his corrupt “Cabinet” enabled by an incompetent staff.
It was interesting to watch president Trump holding a Bible high in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church and his reaction as people criticized him for using the Bible for political reasons. How different America would be if the Bible’s message was taken to heart. Jesus shows us the “way.” His passion was all about bringing God’s Kingdom to earth. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we call for the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth. What does that mean to you?
For me, it means equal justice for all, no one hungry, homeless, marginalized or disenfranchised, a transformation of ourselves resulting in peace on earth where people are accepted and loved, red and yellow, black, brown and white, a world with no discrimination, no inequality and the absence of greed. Imagine how changed America would be if we no longer thought that it was all about money, wealth, position and power. Imagine how different America would be if we treated others as we would like them to treat us.
The future belongs to those who plan for it today providing the next generation reason for hope. Our words, thoughts, intentions and actions today are our hope for tomorrow. My hope for America is to have fun again, to laugh again. I dream about the time we return to thinking clearly, not accepting lies and immoral behavior by leaders as the new normal.
Our history shows we have been led out of darkness before. We have had strong moral and competent leaders that have listened to a higher power and appointed knowledgeable, competent leaders to help make difficult decisions. We have come out of the darkness into the light from recessions, depressions, tragedies and wars. We will do so again. Hard work, hope and faith will take us there this time, too. George Lindholm Hot Springs Village