Commitment, compassion, and determination
We must deliver the leadership of our communities to those who truly care about the people.
High summer begins with another heatwave here, and the prospect of catastrophic losses in health care coverage and services for our community as well as so many others. We are looking at only three extremely hot days, at least this time around. The suffering caused by dramatic cuts to Medicaid, among other provisions of the Republican budget, will last much, much longer.
The idea that prosperity for some can be built on the suffering of the many seems to be having a revival here. It never disappears completely, although we have seen times when government proudly aligned itself with compassion and generosity. We have seen times when corporations bragged about their contributions via taxes to the social good. Likely, even then, these were partially cover stories to help the most wealthy take more. And yet, seeing the cruelty of this budget out in the open, even part of the bragging and posturing of the current regime and its supporters, has the power to shock and sicken.
In prior historical moments, new parties emerged. When the Whigs could not contain enslavement, the Republican party formed itself around the principle of freedom. It continued to be the party of reform into the twentieth century. Now, it is the party of cruelty in service of privilege.
There was a time when, if you wanted to win political races, you had to at least pretend to care about the majority. Now, it seems if you want to win, you have to join the cruelty bandwagon. We are seeing the character of those who wish to “lead” reveal itself, over and over, and we are called to respond.
Let’s respond with commitment, compassion, and determination to deliver the leadership of our communities to those who truly care about the people. Let’s be the leaders we look for.
Take good care and stay strong; you are needed now more than ever.
