Who does those sins?

 

When I was a little girl sitting in church and listening to the priest's sermons and the service readings, I used to think, "Who does those sins?" From my little girl perspective, the many sins noted at church were foreign to me--I didn't know anyone who committed the kinds of sins discussed. 

Now as an older woman, I clearly see evidence of those sins everywhere in our culture, and that bad behavior is a continual drag on the good living possible for so many. How do we live in an imperfect world filled with sins or bad behavior of all kinds without becoming discouraged--what can we do? 

First, I think it's important to realize that imperfection will be a constant--there will always be greedy, self-serving, hateful people that intentionally cheat, hurt, and harm others. It will benefit all of us to work for laws and policies that hold that kind of behavior in check as much as possible. How can we do this?

Elect worthy, intelligent, collaborative, positive leaders

Electing good, honest, hard working leaders is one way to combat the kind of behavior that uses and abuses others. Last night I listened to Boston's Mayor Wu speak. She noted one good effort and idea after another that she and her team are working to lift all Bostonians up. I was so happy that she made the connection between community planning and design and good living. For too long, too many have not taken that connection seriously. She's a big thinker, hard worker, and collaborative leader who was inspiring to listen to. Boston is lucky to have such a wonderful leader. 

Similarly last night I read threads on Twitter by Laurence Tribe and Timothy Snyder who spoke about the danger Speaker McCarthy is creating by not appointing Representative Adam Schiff to the House Intelligence Committee. Both Snyder and Tribe noted Schiff's extensive knowledge about Russia and Russian leaders' negative influence in American politics. Snyder described the timeline of Russian corruption with Trump and other MAGA leaders, and clearly pointed to the fact that McCarthy doesn't want someone who understands this corruption well on the House Intelligence Committee seemingly because McCarthy supports the corruption past and probably present and future. This is worrisome. 

Clearly leaders like McCarthy and Graham are leaders who have been bribed or threatened to follow Trumpian MAGA ways--these men demonstrated sudden, abrupt change in attitude and politics when they became total lackeys for Trump--these sudden about-faces are suspicious at best. 

Too many Americans don't do their homework to well understand the corruption that exists at the top levels of government. Too many are quick to condemn the small time criminals that are easy to understand, but reticent when it comes to looking deeply at the white collar criminals who orchestrate the corruption and greatly profit from it. This American sloth is a problem because when everyday Americans fall for propaganda, lies, and misinformation, and don't do the work to research and elect the best possible leaders, we all suffer. 

Do your homework

However you like to learn, learn all you can about our government and leaders. Follow reputable people who have proven track records of good, honest, enriching work. Ask questions, speak up, and get involved. 

Vote

When you don't vote, you actually give power to dangerous and destructive leaders. For too long, too many Americans were passive with regards to our government and voting. We have now learned about the corruption that can seep in when we stay passive. We all have to vote. 

Use respect and humanity

Politics can make us upset, angry, and frustrated. It's difficult to see friends and family members support leaders and policies that we believe harm and hurt lives. Yet, we always have to use respect and humanity with regard to politics. 

Actions over words

Actions do speak louder than words, but words are important too. Let your actions mimic your beliefs about the good world we can build at home and elsewhere. 

When you learn more, it's okay to change your mind

We'll never know it all and we're always learning. So as we learn more, it's okay to change our minds in order to do better. I welcome respectful debate about my views and new information. I change my mind often as I learn more. I know that learning is an active, ever changing process. 

Do what you can

None of us can do it all, but we all can do something to contribute to the greater good and community--do what you can to make better. 

I do get discouraged when I read about the large scale, deep corruption amongst some in government. These white collar criminals whose profit has risen substantially in short time once they joined the MAGA movement is frightening. Reports of where the money is coming from is frightening too--do we want our country and country's leaders to be owned by errant foreign and domestic individuals who have no respect for human rights, our democracy, and good living for all. Yet, no one person can take on all these problems. We have to do what we can and make it part of our regular routine. If we do that, we'll direct our country's path for betterment for all. We can do this.