Students of history, are probably, having an eerie feeling, We’ve Seen This Before! This isn’t the first time, autocrats, xenophobics, race/ ethic – bating, individuals, have assumed leadership positions, of major nations, and, it generally, has not worked out, well, for most of the citizens, involved! Do we really want to continue, living through, this latest version, of the politics, of HATE? Wouldn’t the best interests, of our nation, and all its citizens, be, better off, if we were led, by someone, who practiced, the politics of hope, instead? With that in mind, this article will attempt to, briefly, consider, examine, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, what this means, and represents, and why, in these days, when the level of polarization, appears to be, at an, all – time, high, a necessity, and priority.
1. Humanity/ humane; hurtful/ heading; healing/ harmful: What has happened to America’s humanity, when our public officials, seem to ignore any dedication to humanity, or any commitment to the concept of liberty, and justice for all? How can we brought together, for the common good, unless/ until, humane treatment, dominates, over adversarial, polarizing behavior, and rhetoric? Where is this nation, heading, if, we permit any political leader, to emphasize, hurtful rhetoric? We must decide, before it’s too late, whether we elect someone, who if healing, or harmful?
2. Attitude; attention; aptitude; articulate; alleviate: While we might debate, whether an individual, himself, is racist, it is usually, clearer, to determine, if his message, and language is! Many polls indicate, perhaps, as much as 40% of the American electorate, is attracted, inspired, and motivated, by this negative language, when, we would be better served, if our overall attitude, was considerably, more positive, and welcoming! How much, attention, to the bigger – picture, and the potential ramifications, a nation’s leaders, commit to, combined with a willingness to do their homework, and develop a relevant, well – formed, aptitude, and skill – set, may go, far, in determining, the message, and mood, articulated! Wouldn’t we be, more American, if we demanded, politicians articulate, a message, focused on alleviating challenges, for the common good, while seeking, a meaningful, meeting, of the minds?
3. Timely (rhetoric, versus relevant): When President Trump, promotes, a message, Make America Great Again, is that, a timely concept, which is relevant, and emphasizes, our goals, priorities, and the Founders’ ideals, or is it, merely, empty rhetoric, focused on dividing, and conquering, for political reasons, and his personal self – interest?
4. Emotions; empathy; emphasis; energy/ energize: Even the most ardent of Trump’s core supporters, should be willing, to recognize, his background, and thus, frame, of reference, is considerably different, than most of us. Therefore, he must be ready, willing, and able, to effectively listen, and learn, from a diverse set of experiences, and conversations, and proceed, with far more empathy, than he appears, to exhibit! One’s emphasis should be focused on, enhancing and energizing this nation, in a positive, productive, unifying way, instead of polarizing, and being adversarial!
Wake up, America, and pay attention, to what this nation, is beginning, to look like! What will we become, without a strong commitment to the essential principles, and concepts, of freedom, liberty, and justice, for all?