We are losing

I worry so much, after reading post after post pointing fingers of blame solely by partisan loyalties. There is no one looking out for the people, only the protection of this divisive system that refuses dialogue and collaboration in favor of stubborn hatred.

Remember, it is the divisiveness that blinds us from what is happening. Dems blame the Repubs. Repubs blame the Dems. The wealthy tells the middle class to blame and punish the poor. Blame race. Blame sex. Blame age. Blame guns. Blame mental illness. Blame religious differences. Blame your neighbors and loved ones. Look over there and feel outrage against a fellow person so you won't see the rights you are losing.

So you won't band together.

So you won't empathize with your neighbor.

So you won't do anything but feel depressed and overwhelmed. Lonely. Afraid. Hopeless.

No matter what side of the fence you are on, no matter where your partisan loyalties lie (and why should they?!), please open your eyes to the realities of the losses we are all experiencing!

We are losing hope.

We are losing our children and teachers in school shootings.

We are losing the ability to discern the truth because of propagandist media and memes.

We are losing transparency in our government. (1)

We are losing the right to peacefully assemble in safety. (2,3)

We are losing faith.

We are losing our power in the voting booths through all sorts of interference and corruptions.

We are losing the ability to have productive, meaningful conversation.

We are losing the ability to anything more than merely survive.

WE are losing.

And we are doing it to ourselves. WE are allowing it all to happen by blaming someone else. Somebody should do something? WE ARE SOMEBODIES!

Take an action. Have those difficult discussions with people on "the other side." LISTEN. Process. Ask thoughtful questions. Use critical thinking about issues (4). Realize that your "enemy" is really someone like you who has experienced things differently. Discover why perspective matters. (5) Be relentless in advocating for the marginalized. Offer your skills and time and talent and money for the greater good. Run for office. Volunteer. Be willing to trust. Form collaborations. Compromise. Facilitate productive dialogue. Research. Pay attention to more than one biased news outlet. Question. Care about the sufferings of others even if you don't understand.

Love.