CULTURE WARS: A distraction

There’s been a lot of talk about making America great again. What could we do that would make America “great?” Is it bullying our neighbors? Is it threatening other nations while cozying up to authoritative regimes? Is it oppressing marginalized people within our borders? Is it enacting legislation that takes money from those who have the least and gives it to those who don’t need it? Is it denying those who are in need access to the help that we can provide for them, both within our nation and across the world? Are these the marks of a great nation? It does not seem so. I seem to remember a phrase, “…whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”  

While I believe in the separation of church and state, I feel that there is wisdom to be found in the teachings of all of the great beliefs. One of my chief frustrations is when our government “strains out gnats” while expecting the citizens to “swallow a camel.” The current “Doge” phenomenon — cutting government waste — seems to exemplify this. It appears that as long as the well-off can perpetuate the culture wars (currently making America great again), we won’t pay attention to being robbed.

ERNEST WARNER

Coeur d’Alene