Several years ago after I called the President an idiot and a liar, I received many stern reprimands from my fellow Americans. They strongly requested that I refrain from calling our President such things. “He is our president and you should respect him and his position.” Apparently, I had crossed the line. Discussion was over. Dialogue was not tolerated. They were unwilling to even listen as I tried to defend my position. Wow. How …. un-American to not be encouraged to share ideas and feelings. Whatever happened to freedom of thought and speech? I felt stifled and quiet honestly a little fearful. I could deal with being ostracized from those who could not tolerate associating with people of differing opinions, but there was evidence that those who differed from the President suffered more serious consequences than that of social outcast.

Liberty is the right to choose. Freedom is the result of the right choice

Freedom of Speech - Norman Rockwell

“If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.” George Washington

I acknowledge there are powers using and abusing this system to promote their agendas. But what is true is that we can choose to listen to and embrace whomever we choose… again. We can discuss and debate amongst each other… again. We can yell at town meetings… again. We can actually consider differing ideas and contemplate all the infinite possibilities… again. We can be creative in finding appropriate solutions… again.

Welcome home America.

I am suggesting that perhaps the best answer lies between us, within us, and among us. I believe we are all trying to find what is best and right. We are Americans after all. All for one and one for all. We have been taught from history that decisions will be made. Not making a choice is still making a decision. What we are not always aware of are the consequences in the long run, whether they will be good or bad. Some of the known consequences can be examined. Others can be anticipated. Some will be a surprise, hopefully pleasant ones, but undoubtedly, there will be some we wished we could have diagnosed. And some we should have foreseen.

As citizens in our communities we naturally quarantine ourselves with those with similar symptoms. What is true is that there will be victims in both camps. Will the runners with the antidote arrive soon enough? When they do, let us hope we will be wise enough to let them through our barricades.

The health of our nation may depend on it.

Perhaps you can take a moment to consider the other side… or not