Together, or Nothing

Dear America.

Beautiful and wounded country.

In these times that seem to beget violence, more people are calling for more of it. The country is split down the middle, and every word spit out is vile, every thought dripping with hate. Fear’s got a grip on everything, and folks are letting it run their lives.

Why don’t we all take a breath and think about what really matters? Most of us are the sons and daughters of immigrants—or immigrants ourselves. People who crossed oceans, worked their fingers raw, built institutions, raised families, and gave life to what might just be the greatest document man has ever put to paper—the U.S. Constitution.

Think about that. Really think about it.

We don’t have to agree on everything. We don’t even have to resolve it all. But can’t we learn to tolerate one another, live side by side with a bit of contentment, safety, maybe even joy? Politics—that’s just the machinery of government. It was never meant to be your soul, your creed, your way of life. Let government be the caretaker. Let love, understanding, peace, and good old-fashioned American values be the heartbeat of your days.

The values that built this place from the ground up.

We can still laugh with one another. We can still be neighbors. We can still have empathy. What we cannot have—what we must not have—are the evils of tribalism and hate. Because divided, we are pathetic. Divided, we are weak— So very weak. But together? Together, we are still the hope of the world.

The hope!

So quit with the smallness. Quit with the venom. Be the bigger man. Be the bigger woman. Because if we lose sight of that, we lose everything.

Think about it.


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57 responses to “Together, or Nothing”

  1. Not all who wander are lost Avatar
    Not all who wander are lost

    Amen!! well said

    Liked by 4 people

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I agree. We need to help, not hate, one another.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. kagould17 Avatar

    An impassioned speech, which I hope many will listen to and take action on. The politics of division must stop. Have a great day. Allan

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thanks Allan. It’s not a good time in America right now. People are getting assassinated and there is a lot of discourse.

      Liked by 1 person

  4.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Amen

    Liked by 3 people

  5.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    I agree. We need to help, not hate, each other.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      I hope everyone realizes that.

      Like

  6.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    So true and beautifully said!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. L.G. Avatar

    Great post, well written and very thoughtful

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you. I hope the message is not lost.

      Like

  8. Belvesuscounselling Avatar

    Very well said. It’s a sad day in American politics.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Indeed. People killing eachother just because of their ideas. Whatever happened to peaceful discord and a good debate? Democracy needs cooler heads.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Experience Film Avatar

    Thought-provoking and pertinent post. And appeal to reason and goodness buried by mountains of hate and vitriol right now☔️🇺🇸☔️

    Liked by 2 people

  10.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Well said. I totally agree.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Brian Scott Avatar

    👍

    I listened to Jimi Hendrix’ Star Spangled Banner live from Woodstock this morning, it filled me with emotion 😥

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      If only we’re still that cool.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Warren Avatar

    I don’t much feel much hope. Not just in the USA, but around the planet. The days of civil debate has become just people spouting hate…..and as someone else has said, civilization begins with civil

    Liked by 3 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      I hope it changes. And soon before that point of no return.

      Like

  13. joannerambling Avatar

    Stay strong America you are a survivor you will get through these rough times

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar
  14. David Avatar

    very well said.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Kei Avatar

    A much needed read during these times. Thank you for putting together hopeful words.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. WearingTwoGowns Avatar

    We need to be able to speak to one another. Words and violence are not equal. It is the ability to talk with one another that helps prevent violence.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar
      1. WearingTwoGowns Avatar

        Keep it up. We need to speak up. Like Voltaire said: I may disagree with what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it. We need to have this love for one another, and it makes me think of the good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan helped not because the person looked or thought like them, but because they were in need. Loving ❤️ those we “perceive” as disagreeable, is when we find that we have a lot of things in common, like a love for Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, as inalienable rights

        Liked by 3 people

  17. Brett Austin Avatar

    Amen. As a Canadian, I can still empathize and reflect. This tribalism isn’t only in America, its felt everywhere. We should strive to be more than what we are.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. shredbobted Avatar

    ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Moreoutdoor Avatar

    Dear America, Canada, France, Germany, here in the UK, indeed ‘our’ world wake up! This squabbling must stop, this poison that is enveloping us, will not make happiness.
    ‘We’ must rebuild, be strong, keep smiling and don’t let the ‘b…..’ grind you down. Peace over Evil every time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      I agree. I hope it gets better soon.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. fitz77 Avatar

    This is a very important post. I couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks and God bless.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you Fitz. God bless you too.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Christopher Francis Avatar

    Good day. Your post was well said and made several good points. You are correct that politics “…was never meant to be your soul, your creed, your way of life.” What ever happened to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness instead of trying to outshout and cancel each other’s voices so ours can be predominant and forcibly preferred? The thought that I keep coming back to is that it seems that we as a society have forgotten that just because we disagree with someone doesn’t mean we have to hate them. What is the antidote to the venom you mention? How about following the Golden Rule and loving our neighbor (or even those we think are our enemy) as ourselves? God bless you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you for sharing your thought. I am happy that there are still people who put America first rather than party. Again, thank you.

      Like

  22. EnchiPants Avatar

    And here I sit, firmly (and lonely) in my own little boat, watching the hatred and vitriol thrown back and forth from both sides of the fence… disappointed and disheartened, once again. I don’t care who or what or how a person exists, if they can’t garner an ounce of empathy for their fellow humans… living without doing harm with words OR violence… I can’t abide them. There aren’t enough of the truly empathetic, loving, and kind people in the world and it hurts so much.

    I want to be where the majority of people are good… 😞

    Liked by 2 people

    1. AKings Avatar

      There are people like you. There is hope ☺️.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. EnchiPants Avatar

        Eeeeew… hope! 😆😜

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Bronlima Avatar

    When those in power do not understand this!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      They’ve got their own agenda.

      Like

  24. Sharon My Journey Avatar

    This is beautifully said, but I especially love this: “Politics—that’s just the machinery of government. It was never meant to be your soul, your creed, your way of life. Let government be the caretaker. Let love, understanding, peace, and good old-fashioned American values be the heartbeat of your days.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      Thank you Sharon.

      Like

  25. Braden Avatar

    I couldn’t have expressed this more eloquently.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. veerites Avatar

    Dear Kings
    I was quite impressed by your post. It has given a new point of view.
    Thanks for liking my post, ‘Supreme’ 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Paul Carney Avatar

    Watching in horror from the UK at the rise of violent aggression with our cousins. Just hope peace and calmness prevail. Nothing is solved through hate. Peace to you and your family

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar
    1. AKings Avatar

      Yes we do need a national revival. I just hope it’s for the better.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. WearingTwoGowns Avatar

    Hope, Faith, and Love ❤️, but the greatest of these is love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. AKings Avatar

      That’s true ☺️.

      Liked by 1 person

  29. gabeionpublishingllc Avatar
    gabeionpublishingllc

    I agree 💯 I stand I stand with you, and all of America it’s time to heal our hearts. Time to bring back love and happiness.

    Liked by 1 person

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