The past ten days, there have been protests, demonstrations and riots all across the United States. Up to over a hundred per day. The media and the politicians would have us believe all protests and demonstrations turn into riots, with looting, destruction of property and violence on all sides. This is far from the truth. The vast majority of the protests are peaceful. The media, however, continues to push their own narrative. They continue to fan the flames of racism, bigotry and hatred. They continue to impose upon the public at home and abroad their view that we are a terrible nation, led by a terrible President. All because for them it sells.
Why are we seeing so many protests? Is this all about a general consensus the rights of one man were violated to the point mass protests are the only answer? I think not. I believe the protests and demonstrations reflect a general consensus Americans are disgusted and fed up with Government at all levels. They are fed up with the inefficacy of the elected leaders. Fed up with leaders who are supposed to protect individual rights, yet trample on them in favor of small minorities. Trample upon them in favor of Lobbyists for large corporations. In favor of activists that represent a small percentage of the populace. They are fed up with politicians who are elected to office and sent to State Capitols or to Washington only to become millionaires on salaries that cannot account for the millions they suddenly have in their bank accounts. They are fed up with politicians who have no idea what is happening in America. They are fed up with elitists telling them what is good for them. They are fed up with a President who is disrespectful.
America yearns to be free. Free to pursue dreams of a better life. America yearns for respect. Respect for the rights of the individual. If Government would show respect for the individual the vast majority of our problems would go away. George Floyd deserved respect as an individual. Justine Damond, also of Minneapolis, deserved respect. Police officers killed in the line of duty deserve respect. Black men killed by black gangs deserved respect. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Athiests, and all Faiths deserve respect. No matter an individuals beliefs that individual deserves respect. All individuals deserve respect. Justice and Equality start with respect.
America is a diverse society with many, many diverse points of view. Tolerance must go hand in hand with respect. Not tolerance of wrong doing but tolerance for distinct points of view. That is not to say we must accept every point of view, no what we must do is respect the individual's right to have a different point of view. It is not necessary to argue the rightness or wrongness of a point of view. You do not even have to respect the point of view but you must respect his right to have one.
Many of those protesting and demonstrating are looking for Government to do something about the problem, or what they perceive as the problem. Government cannot and should not control the thoughts of individuals. Yes government can pass laws but every law they pass has the potential of protecting the rights of some and infringing on the rights of others. Nor can we expect government to correct the wrongs of past generations to the detriment of the present and future generations. And given Government's past and present performance, does anyone truly believe they can make anything right?
We the people can make things right. We can vote our conscience at the ballot box. We can remove from power those politicians who have wreaked havoc on our rights for 3 decades. We can remove from power those who abuse their office for their own gain. We can show respect for one another. No matter the uniform the individual is wearing. Whether business suit, scrubs, greens, blues or the yellow vested garbage collector.
