When a horrendous or unacceptable incident occurs –
Americans may take a pause.
And often it is said – This is not America. This is not who we are.
We are better than that.
If it is not US, then who are we?
It’s US who choose our leaders.
US who choose to not be our brothers’ keepers.
US who had the power to stop America’s direction.
US who made decisions that lead to the insurrection.
US who keep turning a blind eye to injustices.
Pandering to those who change the narrative and make excuses.
Americans had several chances and opportunities
To steer America away from the direction that led here.
Many stood with the dismissal of Unity
Choosing Party, personal gain, hatred, lies and fear.
And it’s regular folks like you and me.
Who chose to side with the group that housed the extreme.
Proud Boys embedded in the Latinos for Trump group.
Yard signs seen around my neighborhood.
Some still fly their Trump flags high.
Around me there still are Latinos for Trump signs.
Yes, threats to America have been from extremists.
But also too, the enablers and complaisant moderates.
And unfortunately, there are enough of them in US.
To have a significant influence.
America is not greater than what happened on January 6th.
That, we need to admit.
Until we face that truth, how can we move to improve?
Often, after emotion dies down, many return to “normal”.
Back to their corners.
Sweeping what was done under the rug.
Pull their covers and get snug or smug, even unplug.
Quickly forget and get back into their regular step.
Until the next incident rears its ugly head.
And if ordinary people don’t stop their alignment
With lies, ill-will and extreme.
If they don’t stop their cycle of rinse and repeat.
We will keep making the same mistakes.
Each time adding layers and baking them in.
75 million Americans in the last election
By their votes, said the path of Trump and the Republicans
Was the path on which they wanted to stay
As the one that would keep America great.
The World has been watching what we display.
To them we look like a banana republic today.
Our systems are more corrupt than before Trump.
Danger to the lawmakers and other public servants.
Many for Trump and MAGA were not for peaceful protest.
People who work in government needing bullet proof vests.
A call for uprising in every State for a total overrun.
Trump judged others as S- -t Hole Countries.
Now some say – he has made US (look like) one.
And if we don’t come to terms with that.
We will never choose a better track.