What's Happened To Us?

America has always been presented as the best, the brightest, the most generous, the most democratic country in the world. Americans have presented themselves and their country in this way as they've traveled or as they sat home living their lives among their families and friends and in a wide variety of communities - large cities, rural communities, small villages and hamlets.

But then Donald Trump came along and impacted not just America but the entire world. Sadly, he represents something much bigger and longstanding - selfishness, hatred, bigotry, bullying, power and superiority are all part of it. His greatest and most relentless harm though is in his repetition of lies that feed on people's mistrust and sometimes hatred for their own government. Honestly, most people have this mistrust of government or management built into their DNA. Like anything else, some of it is deserved and healthy. It's a mixed bag when it comes to anti government promoters. There have been great and important anarchists over the centuries as well as dangerous and crazy ones. Conspiracy theorists haven't helped. But those who have wanted to exploit this mistrust have had a field day.

Certainly none of us like to be pushed around by government, told what to do or what to believe. We like to think we have that independent streak that built America in the first place. On the other hand, a concern for the common good and for people in trouble pulls at us from another direction. Some say it's religious beliefs, others say it's just a basic quality of humanity. There are values at work here - basic values of dignity, fairness, equality, compassion, empathy and more.

But here we are in 2020 and something has gone seriously wrong after four years of constant spewing of alternate realities. We let one man feed our anger and frustration, our fear of each other. We've stood by and watched over 300,000 of our fellow citizens die. Somewhere we became numb to the magnitude of that number. But it gets worse. We've allowed some to feed on the fear and hate of brothers and sisters of color. It has been a long time coming. Institutions meant to protect us all - police and courts have discriminated and hurt and, in too many cases, killed people in our name. Over the past few months we have watched executions ramp up as a Presidential term ends. We have seen even somewhat progressive states and governors continue to house large numbers of prisoners in close quarters during a pandemic and not even think about where these souls will fall on a priority list for vaccinations.

In many cases the pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in people. There are certainly heroes in public health, clinics and hospitals but then look at the anti maskers and party goers who seem to enjoy putting others at risk as they celebrate their independence. There are other selfish people like corporate leaders taking money meant for small businesses, churches and synagogues fighting legal battles to act irresponsibly with the lives they are purporting to serve. Businesses refusing to follow restrictions. Politicians celebrating their independence from facts and science.

Yes, we all need to look at each other and talk to each other about what we've become during the past four years. Why have we failed each other so badly? Why did we become so callous about the deaths of so many people? Why didn't we all rise up sooner and louder and more effectively? Most importantly, we have to ask will we let it happen again?