In a world inundated with fear, we have to stand; firm

There is never a day that goes by I don’t hear people voicing their concern for the welfare of America. Our citizens are afraid of losing their homes, losing their jobs, the price of gas, housing costs, terrorism, contaminated food and drink, the inability to afford health care insurance, high taxes, exorbitant food costs, medication costs, etc. This may sound strange, but I really do not worry about these things. I truly believe that we as a society have completely lost an informed awareness of what the condition of the world really is. We rely on television, radio and publications of all kinds to “educate” us on world events, catastrophic weather conditions, reasons and rationalizations on the war, and why our men and women in the armed forces have to die on a regular basis.

But who is to blame for this convoluted mess? Is it really George Bush’s fault, or Bill Clinton’s, or maybe John F. Kennedy’s? Maybe we can go back in time and blame this entire mess on Abraham Lincoln! It must be someone’s fault. Well, in my humble opinion I think there can be only one true answer to all this dysfunction- US! Yes, I mean you and me.

Wow! That’s a mouthful! Now as you sit there and recover, take a deep breath and consider the slight possibility this premise could be true. After all, America is America because of people. We really are all the same, black, white, red, green – people are all the same.

But how do people who think they are different than other people make a positive difference in society? Do we have to agree on certain issues to effect change? We live in a country enamored with division. We are surrounded with different religions, governmental parties, all-encompassing and controlling corporations, frantic media scare tactics, and children who are pressured beyond what their years should allow. So, what IS the answer? If the media barrages us constantly with negative information, how do we go about effecting positive change from negative programming? Where do you find inspiration and courage? From fear? I don’t think so.

Is courage and faith dead? I don’t think so; it may be hidden or sleeping, but as long as a person is breathing, hope is waiting to raise its head and say, “I am alive – please use me.” Consider this: the opposite of fear is faith. Faith encourages people; fear destroys the spirit. So, what do we do about a fear-driven society? Acquiesce, lie down and just give up? How long do we get to complain, commiserate and be- moan our fate? If knowledge is power, then where does knowledge get its information to fuel its own power? Isn’t information supposed to be informative? Isn’t being informed a form of education? Isn’t education power?

You would think that educated people would be able to stand their ground and produce change in their environment. Sounds logical, but ask yourself this: Is that happening in America today? I don’t think so.