This is not a blog about politics. This is a blog about owning less and living more.
But, like every American, I have been struck by the tragedy of the Tucson Massacre last weekend. Innocent people died that day… good people died that day… a 9-year old girl died that day.
And while the jury is still out on the exact motivation of the killer, one thing became clear during last night’s Memorial Service in Tucson: the United States of America must once again become united. We are one nation. We are one people. We are one piece in the only world we’ve got. And while we need not agree on all points of politics, we must make every effort to pursue unity.
- We need humility. Our specific political party does not hold all of the answers. During my short lifetime, on numerous occasions, both political parties have held significant majorities in government. But our problems still exist. It is clear that no one, single political party holds all the answers. In other words, we need each other.
- We need patience. Our problems did not start overnight. And they will not be solved overnight.
- We need appreciation. Republicans love and serve America. Democrats love and serve America. The sooner we appreciate that fact (and our differences), the sooner we can work together towards a common goal.
- We need to stop assuming intentions. Our nation faces problems – it always has and always will. And good people will always differ on the best solution. But making sweeping assumptions about an opposing viewpoints’ intentions will never move the debate forward. It is the easiest way to discount any valid, opposing argument. It is also one of the most damaging. In fact, in my opinion, it is one of the primary reasons that civility has completely vanished from our political discourse.
- We need maturity. We can not afford any longer to be tossed back and forth by men or women who profit from sharp, stinging, political discourse. Debating politics in the public arena is good and to be encouraged. But dividing the country for the sake of profit is not.
- We need wholesome talk. Remove falsehood, rumors, and gossip. Instead, our words need to benefit anyone who will listen and build up everyone who hears them.
- We need less bitterness, rage, anger, and slander. These attitudes and actions always escalate and only produce more of themselves. They have never resulted in solutions… and they never will.
- We need more kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. Towards each other – in our daily lives and in our politics.
I’m not naive enough to think that the simple application of “patience,” “appreciation,” or “wholesome talk” will solve our world’s complicated problems. But I do think they hold the key to uniting this country once again… or at least, enough to prevent the senseless death of good, innocent people.
And that’s one thing all of us can agree on.
Renee@rousingrowena says
Well said Joshua! Patience, understanding, forgiveness, compassion.
Political leaders, religious leaders, and the media must acknowledge and take responsibility for the power of their influence over mankind. The benefit of all mankind must be their primary motivation in what they say or do.
We as individuals must acknowledge that it is our responsibility NOT to allow political leaders, religious leaders and/or the media to interfere with our peace of mind, to instill fear, hatred, feelings that we are lacking all that we deserve, as it determines the attitude that we have towards the rest of the world. We must look beyond ourselves.
Annabelle says
Ok, so what action do we take?
We are U.S. military living in a European country full of people who don’t like us, who don’t want us here; who are rude and complain. So what do we do? We’re here to promote peace, and getting slammed for it with threats and law suits.
What’s the answer? It happens all over the world. What’s the answer?
flip flop guy says
a sad event that hopefully does not lead to preemptive prosecution. i caught sixty minutes at a friends house last night (flip-flop guy doesn’t only a tele) and the discussion was basically about how to stop such an attack. i don’t think you can but every such event gives the government another excuse to take freedom away from the people. many people talk of stuff as this kid did but are harmless and would never commit such an act. i only hope, free speech, gun ownership, and freedom is not affected by such events. so not ultra-cool.
flip-flop guy
tony says
We need to help the mentally ill people. We will always be divided. Spirited debates and freedom of speech is what this nation is built on, not personal attacks or stating untrue facts about people we opposed.
kj says
I totally agree with the need for unity, but not amongst politicians and leaders. Like one commenter above said, this country has never been united; It has always been government by the rich to protect their money and to ensure that the other 9/10 of the country is kept at bay. There have been periods in American history when the people have been less ignorant of this fact, but I believe that this is one of the most ignorant periods in American history with regard to the general public.
We are the ones who have to unite. We have to educate ourselves and others that politicians are not, for the most part, working for us. We have to realize that as many differences as we all have, we are all so much more similar than we are to any of them–most of us just want to be able to support ourselves reasonably, make our own decisions, and live peacefully among other things.
They play us against each other, “patriots” vs. immigrants, religious people vs. gays, whites vs. non whites etc, and they pick hot button topics like abortion, gay marriage, immigration, gun laws to make us fight with each other. Its all a game so that we don’t have time to see what they are really doing–passing laws to keep us all in our places while their corporate interests are treated like more important citizens than each of us.
Democrats and Republicans are already united enough, The important movement towards unity needs to come from the people.
ro says
Too little, and far far too late.
Kimberly Caron-Lohman says
Well said, thanks so much for this post. You are wise beyond your years.
Richard Dahlstrom says
I was in Africa when the shooting occurred Josh, and pretty much “off the grid”, so am just now digesting it. My time in Africa, visiting water projects our church has done, and investigating partnerships with pastors there to further better the lives of Africans, has reminded me of just how important this post is. Candidates for office have their heads cut off over there. There are wars over ‘elections’, and things are so polarized and unstable that there’s a sense things could topple at any time. Your plea, therefore, is much needed, and I for one applaud your courage in calling us to unity. Motion seconded.
Debbie says
Well said! I’m not from the US (I’m Northern Irish!!) but I would say those principles apply to all (SANE) people everywhere! What a different world we could live in if we all even lived half of those!
Anna D. says
“if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Why is this concept so hard? Thanks for staying relevant Joshua.