I think that most Americans would agree that we have problems that need to be addressed. If we can at least agree on what the problem is, it is a first step towards solving what is wrong. My concern is that fear is being used to divide us and that when fear is used it is difficult to hear anything but the shouting. My hope is that we can rise above the fear mongering. 

America is the can do country. We are a generous people. We have faced many far worse problems before and come together as Americans. Democracy might be painfully slow but we have it in our power to change things for the better. Let us start to talk to one another and argue less and accomplish more.

If we have an infrastructure problem, let us acknowledge it and let’s fix it. If we have an unemployment problem, let’s work together and train those who want to work and provide a livable wage. 

The largest problem that we face is climate change. I really don’t care who is at fault, whether it is due to the natural way of things, or whether man has contributed to the problem or whether it is a combination of both, the problem exists. As NASA used to say, Houston we have a problem. Deal with it before it is too late.
The globe is getting warmer and extreme weather conditions are becoming the norm.

I can remember back in the 1960’s a film that I think was entitled,” A Clear and Present Danger,” was made about air pollution. There were people who scoffed at the notion that we needed to protect people from air pollution and then next came the realization that we needed to provide clean water. We addressed the problem. 

Not like China, who see’s their population choking on smog with little being done to protect their people. They still use coal as a primary source of energy and they are literally choking on it.

We as a people need to accept the great preponderance of the evidence, and stop sticking our head in the sand and address the problem before climate change dooms us all. If any of you have taken a science class, you might remember that too much carbon dioxide in the air is not a good thing.

Even if you are a person who believes in less government, one would think that a realization of the need to take care of business would hit at some point. If the river is rising you might need a boat Noah. After all, deNile, is a river in Egypt.

First there was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who helped save capitalism from itself, and now we have the Pope reminding us of our responsibilities as human beings to each other. There can be little doubt that today, we as a people not only in this country but around the globe, are lacking in mercy and grace regarding our fellow human beings.

There are those paid puppets among us, who feed us nonsense on radio and televsion. It is time to ignore their baseless accusation. Recently we have heard that the Pope is a Marxist. I guess that makes Jesus a Marxist. Hey, if you believe the Pope is a Marxist, I have a bridge for sale that you might want.

Sorry, but these personal attacks are but a symptom of the times. We need to stop arguing and start listening and actually hear what each person is saying or at least make the attempt to hear those who might disagree with you.If someone like the Pope says something that makes you feel uncomfortable take a breath and think about what he is saying instead of attacking him personally.What we discuss should be about the substance of the argument, the merits and so forth and not about making it personal.

No man is an island unto himself. I know that is a quote from somewhere in my past but I can’t remember for the moment who said it, but the statement is clear in its wisdom in that we are not alone. We are our brother’s keeper. If we only gave a little more love to one another and if we were a little less intolerant and angry the world and our country would be a much happier place. 

Life is more than being just about me. Most of us have a family and we live in a village, town or city, and we do live in a country the good old U.S.A. We pay taxes, to keep the lights going and the parks and libraries open and the roads working. Life is too short to enjoy another person’s misery. When the Great Recession hit, it was not the workers fault who got the notice that he was laid off. It is mind-boggling to me that some of us seem to want to punish the needy whether they be sick or out of work. It is inhuman and un American. But for the grace of God go I.

So let’s roll up our sleeves and accomplish more. Let us remind ourselves that we are the can do country. If we can put a man on the Moon or send a vehicle to Mars, or come together to defeat Hitler and his ilk, there is nothing we can not do if we work together as Americans