Breaking Silence

 

I begin with a quote:

“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it.” -----Edward R. Murrow

I have an admission to make. I am afraid. I am afraid to speak out. I am a liberal in Montana, a rare breed up here but not as rare as you might think. But I see so much anger and defensiveness around me—on both sides—that I want to follow my Daoist teachings and choose the path of least resistance. That means, being quiet. It does not mean being silent. Silence can become the fodder for dictators. And fear is the fodder for silence. Fear and indifference.

I find myself in an interesting position on the political spectrum. I have always considered myself a bleeding heart liberal. What I really am is a concerned citizen desperate to help my fellow citizens find their way through the quagmire that is everyday life, with an eye toward the future our offspring will inherit. Progress is inevitable. We always move forward. You can't stop it. What you can do is try to make sure that progress is not irrational or self-serving, and at the same time make sure that the push back against progress is thoughtful and not irrational or self-serving.

It's a big ask. Most of us have very little power to influence anyone or anything, at least on our own. But you are not on your own. Like me, you have a voice, even if you are afraid to use it.

President Donald Trump is busy pushing against anyone who has an opposing viewpoint on anything and everything he wants to accomplish. He thinks he knows what's best for us, and has the God-given right to make it so, and no one should object.

I object. I object as loudly as I can.

I end with another quote:

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” -----Theodore Roosevelt