America is in Trouble

When my kids were little and got into trouble, they were sent to time-out. America is in trouble, and the world is sending us to time-out.

We have alienated our allies with tariffs. We have spoken ill of our northern neighbor and even demanded they become our 51st state. We have cut children’s cancer research funding. Yet America is not in trouble for any of this.

We pride ourselves on the freedom to say whatever we want. It is the First Amendment, for crying out loud. We may not like what others say, yet they have the same privilege of saying what they want in return. However, what we often miss is that with this right comes an individual responsibility. Yes, say what you want, and you and only you are responsible for those words. You own them, and they own you. They will stay with you your entire life, so choose them wisely, as my mother would say. Speak your mind yet be prepared to defend it or apologize. And America is not in trouble for this either.

Could our trouble be that we are angry with our neighbors and act aggressively towards them? That hatred is thrown around like pies in a clown routine. This American-on-American conflict delights our adversaries. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea watch as our free society implodes. American-on-American hate fuels this divide. This is a game of winners and losers, and America is definitely losing. We know we are being played, but we keep taking the bait. And, yet this is not why America is in trouble.

Everyone can see this hatred is tearing us apart. It is forcing families to stop talking to each other, stop visiting each other, and ultimately because of it, we die alone. This anger is raw, fear based and contagious. Every violent word sparks a ripple effect of copycats perpetuating more ugliness. This snowball of hatred has the U.S. trapped inside itself rolling towards the lowest common denominator – hatred.

Remember: we are all human. We are all brothers and sisters from the same tree. We are all American. Yet it doesn’t seem to matter. We are quick to hate. So, grow some skin, America. If you don’t like what someone says, stop listening to them. They are probably not worth the hot air they are spewing. The more we insult each other, the more we fail. The more we fight American-against-American, the more we lose. The more divided we are, the more our enemies celebrate. The more we hate, the more we hate. 

What we need is a unifier, someone who can stop the division and hatred. Someone who can listen instead of always yell and scream. Someone who can open their heart and show compassion. That “someone” is not a politician or an actor or even a celebrity. So, then who is it? Who can stop the hatred? Who can unite us? You can.   

America, this is our kumbaya moment. So, ask yourself: what does each one of us have an unlimited supply of, that we can give away freely, and that this country desperately needs right now? America is in trouble because we have lost kindness.

Farmer Banks Helfrich teaches gardening monthly at Florida Blue Clermont and on his seven-acre which includes 15 different gardens in the Clay Road District of north Clermont. Farm tours are every 2nd Sunday. Call Banks for more information. (407) 616-9720