Feb 14, 2017
Our America (2020)
Dear America,
It should have stopped here.
Or perhaps here.
But it didn’t.
Nor did the lying,
which started at a staggering pace,
and exceeded a notable landmark in July 2020.
Being untethered to Truth has enabled conspiracies to flourish,
and openly antisemitic, anti-Islamic, racist GOP Congressional candidates to infiltrate Congress,
with the frightening endgame to be determined.
America, we have witnessed the end of a political party and the makings of a cult following.
With these “very fine people” (i.e., who happened to be shouting, “The Jews will not replace us!”) “standing by,”
and ongoing incitement of violence,
even our governors aren’t safe.
We’ve seen these guys before (they’re empowered and recruiting).
The threat is real.
Dear America, we’ve been complicit far too long.
Let’s stand collectively against injustice.
Let’s not be triggered when we are reminded that Black Lives Matter,
nor when we see peaceful protests.
Let’s speak out against the tear-gassing of peaceful protestors.
Even when done for a photo shoot.
America, can we no longer recognize religious persecution?
Whatever happened to “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself?”
Maybe it’s time for us to receive some proper schooling.
These are the first Americans.
These are our neighbors.
These are human beings.
This is our son.
This is our water.
This is the air our children breathe.
And the health risks from these problems are growing exponentially.
These are children ripped from their parents.
(Imagine merely 2 minutes of “losing” your child at the supermarket,
then try to fathom the devastating impact on these children.)
America, let’s call it what the American Academy of Pediatrics calls it.
This is marriage.
Even he gets it.
These children are suffering.
This is the real Planned Parenthood.
This is a problem.
This is a wall.
This is one of so many better ways to spend $25 billion.
And another…
And another.
This is the value placed on our children’s education.
This is continuation of a trend line following recovery from a recession.
And so is this.
And so is this.
Climate change is not a hoax invented by China.
Nor was this a hoax.
Nor was this a hoax.
Nor was this a hoax.
Nor was this a hoax.
Attacking the free press is how you threaten a democracy.
Voter suppression is how you threaten a democracy.
Crippling the USPS months before an election is how you threaten a democracy (and forcing in-person voting is how you worsen a pandemic).
As is refusing to commit to a peaceful transfer of power.
Dear America, these are fallen heroes (not “suckers” and “losers”),
and he was not “A Loser.”
This is the legacy of our former attorney general.
And this is our current AG.
America, this is not how anyone should talk about women.
When will we start listening and finally stop treating them like shit?
America, let’s honor her legacy
And his.
And his.
America, this was one of our greatest health threats during the first 3 years of this administration.
Then this happened.
And they’re STILL trying to take it away.
(Seriously, in the throes of the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, this administration is still trying to take healthcare away from Americans — without any semblance of plan for a replacement.)
And even those with pre-existing conditions aren’t safe.
America, this is what failure looks like.
The failure of a coordinated, science-driven response by our federal government resulted in > 100,000 avoidable deaths, increased need for stay-at-home orders, and a loss of >$1 trillion in GDP.
This is where the bodies went when the morgues overflowed.
Umm…
America, this organization should never be politicized.
Nor should this organization.
This is a reputable physician; not a political figure. (His life and his loved ones’ lives are being threatened because of the verbal attacks made by our president.)
How can anyone justify this line of reasoning?
The scientific community has had enough.
The medical community has had enough.
The USA’s leading medical journal has had enough (i.e., published first presidential endorsement in 208 years).
Scientific American has had enough (i.e., published first presidential endorsement in 175 years).
So many respected and lifelong Republicans have had enough.
America, this is NOT a political statement.
Masks work just like other public health interventions (e.g., seatbelts, vaccines, smoking laws, cancer screening, lead restriction…)
They not only “work,” they are life-saving,
and replacing repeated lies and cover-ups with a simple endorsement would be saving lives today.
America, isn’t caring about each other patriotic?
What’s patriotic about nepotism and profiting off the Oval Office?
Does the lure of authoritarianism concern you?
Our national security experts are “profoundly concerned,”
and will even risk their own lives to warn us.
Nearly 800 retired generals and national security leaders have united against him,
while active-duty military officers and their families are abandoning him.
So many respected officials who have worked closely with him have shared their own choice words…
America, did we ever figure out why Putin wants him in office so badly?
In sum, the numbers tell a disturbing story…
We’re not really falling for “I ALONE CAN FIX IT!” are we? (a narrative conveniently abetted by discrediting journalists, scientists, physicians, judges, generals, legal scholars, aides and cabinet members)
But I still have hope for Our America.
An America where environmental regulations will protect our air, our land, our water and our children.
An America where people really do care.
An America led by women.
An America that champions equity.
An America where we teach and inspire our youth to be better.
An America where we can disagree, but still stand together united.
America, this is our next step…
