The American Dream
28/06/23 09:24
June 28, 2023 (Vol. 17 No. 28) - The American nation will celebrate the 247th anniversary of its independence next week. It should be a time for celebration. Our nation is at peace, the economy is on the mend and our nation has, once again, is seen as the leader of the Free World - a delightful change from where we were just three years ago. However, there are millions of American who approach our nation's birthday with a sense of fear and dread. They have chosen to live as LBGTQ+. And they are under attack by politicians and demagogues who find it easier to win votes by stoking a fear of people who choose to live a non-traditional lifestyle than by tackling the real problems that threaten public safety, such as gun violence, Big Pharma's price gouging and climate change. It's a lot easier to attack a bogeyman than it is to address real issues. This is not to say that some of the issues that have been raised do not merit serious public discussion. I know that things such as gender-assignment surgery for minors and the role of transgender athletes in women's sports are not black and white issues. Nor do I claim to have any answers. But I do know this: Our nation was created under the premise outlined in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Are these mere words on a paper, or do we honor them as our founding principle? In simple terms, those sacred words tell me that as long as you are not doing something that harms me or anyone else, you should be free to live your life as you choose. In short, I don't care what your pronouns are. However, I do care what kind of person you are. It is interesting that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. evoked those very same words I quoted from the Declaration in his "I Have a Dream" speech. Another line from King's speech asked that his children - and all God's children - be judged by not what they look like but by "the content of their character." As we approach this Fourth of July holiday, I do not think that is an unreasonable request. Yes, there are some issues that we need to figure out. But let's engage in a thoughtful conversation and measured tones and not at the top of our voices. And the only guiding principle that should govern these discussions is an understand that we will respect everyone's pursuit of their American Dream. That's it for now. Fear the Turtle.