I came home recently so excited about possibilities for the future. A group of over 100 Carlisle area people of all ages came together at the Carlisle Ribbon Mill to share their concerns about where we are headed as a democracy and what we need to do—together—to get it back.
When I asked how many people think we are headed in the right direction, there was silence. But when I asked what we need to support our democracy, people shouted out:
- Affordable healthcare!
- Fully fund public education!
- Support the rule of law!
- Stop attacking our immigrant neighbors!
- Bring back empathy, kindness and compassion—for everyone!
- Fair and livable wages!
Too often, when we turn on some radio or television stations, or listen to certain podcasts, we get a stream of vindictive, angry, divisive propaganda and outright lies that demoralize, confuse and scare us and make us feel hopeless. And that is, of course, their intent.
Our submission to this division and chaos prevents us from knowing that there is truth out there, and there are many others who share our deeply held beliefs and values…