Americans and Their Short Term Memory

These days I am experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression. The actuality of losing my Mom has finally sunk in. And honestly, the past few weeks have been rough. Mother's Day was especially hard because I ended up spending it all alone. Our plans were blindsided by Covid-several family members were hit and needed to remain in isolation. Poof-our family's dinner went up in smoke! As a news junkie, my depression and anxiety continue to escalate. I have concluded that we, America, have a serious flaw. It's called short term memory. Let's consider the war in Ukraine, the Domestic terrorists who believe Tucker Carlson and false manifestos; the mass shootings frequently happening in cities, schools and supermarkets; the constant Asian, Black, and Jewish hate crimes; the probability of overturning Roe v Wade; and finally, the January 6th insurrection (which the entire world witnessed in real time). At first we were angry, frustrated, upset, and hopeful that somehow we can effect change. But, then, eventually, after charitable donations or volunteering, we go back to our own lives and slowly push these issues out of our minds. The fatigue we are all experiencing is understandable and palpable. Between the never ending pandemic and the political insanity inciting so much hate, divisiveness, and a real threat to our democracy, we prefer to bury our heads in the sand. I get it! The daily news is harrowing. How much can we take? We are exhausted. If you check Google, you will discover that the quantity of searches on Covid or the war in Ukraine have significantly dwindled. When these issues don't directly affect us in a negative way, eventually we choose to ignore them. For example, if we escape nuclear war with Russia, and if the stock market remains stable, or if it wasn't your community that experienced a hate crime, then it's easier to go about your "normal" day. It used to be that car accidents were the leading killer of children and youth. Now it is gunfire. Republicans want to "save the children." Until you point out to them how many children are being killed by guns. Then, they say whatever... When cars were dangerous, the car industry did research on how to make the auto industry safer. Seat belts and air bags were implemented. The gun industry literally has safer options at their "fingertips". Fingerprint readers can be built into the grips of handguns and rifles. Radio Frequency Identification can be enacted. This unlocks the gun only if you wear a specific ring or bracelet that is registered to the legal owner. But the NRA and the Republicans refuse time and again to even consider these options. Or how about requiring the gun companies to be liable for gun deaths? Do you realize there are more guns in the U.S. than there are people? The more guns there are and the lack of incentives to secure them safely; the more deaths there will be. Do you know that 25 states in the U.S. allow ANYONE to carry a concealed gun without background checks and no permit, REGARDLESS of their criminal history? People often blame the police for unwarranted shootings of inocent people. And very often it is the Police who are at fault. But, in addition to proper law enforcement, I also think EDUCATION is key. We must teach children from an early age (at the dinner table and in school) that racism and hate is unacceptable. We must allow Black history and the Holocaust to be explained and taught in every state. We must allow sex education in schools as well. We must tell children the dangers of guns. Our children and grandchildren will not be scared. They are capable of handling all of this information. They must not be shielded from reality. And most importantly, we should teach our children that lying is NEVER acceptable. We all have a responsibility to educate the residents and youth in our communities: in both our schools and in our religious institutions. As far as the ban on abortions and reversing Roe V Wade-it is an uncomprehensible thought! How is it that our children and grandchildren will not have the choice to decide what they can or cannot do? I believe the ban will happen and it is sickening. Will they end the morning after pill, birth control, same sex marriage? The lack of legal abortion will not stop abortion. It will just increase unsafe back alley abortions. So what is it that we can do to ensure this will not happen? While protests educate and make our voices heard, they are not going to change the Supreme Court Decisions. Going to the front lawn of a supreme court justice will not sway their decision. There is really just one option. WE MUST ALWAYS GO OUT AND VOTE! In both primaries and in the regular elections. We must come from the cities, the suburbs, and the rural areas. Everyone must vote for the candidates who support their values and ideals. We need to become once again an inclusive and kind Democracy. We have the right to free speech in America, but we have to implement a way to stop the spread of hateful propaganda and false conspiracy themes. For my Republican friends, you must hold your senators and congressman accountable for their lying about the January 6th insurrection. It seems to me that these men and women really do have short term memory issues and should never be supported or reelected. There must be moral and ethical Republicans who are deserving of the honor (think Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, and the late John McCain). Do they not remember cowering on the floor, fearing for their lives, and blaming Trump on that infamous day for the insurrection? Does Pence not remember? How can we accept their hypocrisy...Why is no one from the Republican party speaking the truth? We are all suffering from some degree of fatique. However, we must resist the temptation to bury our heads in the sand. Teach the truth and live the truth. Please encourage anyone and everyone to vote for upstanding, kind, truthful and morally acceptable humans regardless of your political affiliation. SORRY FOR THE RANT-but I think I actually feel a tiny bit better... PEACE OUT-ONE B