I think America fears the wrong things. Today’s news is full of rhetoric about Russian influence and assaults against democracy. Through words and free speech, no less! It is not Russian influence through Facebook ads and posts that will destroy us. If we fall, it will be because our citizens no longer are able to think for themselves. It will be because we are too easily swayed. It will be because truth and character have eroded to the point that we can no longer discern truth from error or right from wrong. It will be because the foundation upon which we once stood is shaken and soft.
Perhaps that is true. We overlook all sorts of terrible character flaws in our leaders. It is very naive to believe that how someone conducts themselves in private does not affect how or where they will lead us. How can we honestly believe that someone who lies to their own family would honestly serve the public? And why do we believe them when they promise what we know they cannot and will not deliver?
America needs to go back to its roots. Our leaders need to be held to a higher standard! Our journalists need to pursue truth over profit! We need to examine our own lives and aim to live nobly. We need to vote based on character. We need to vote also with our feet and our wallets. We need to try to understand each other. We need to care for each other even when we don’t understand.
We need to strengthen the foundation of American and then we will not need to be afraid. We will not be so easily undermined. No country with a solid foundation and belief in love, hope, and truth need fear influence from any false rhetoric….from Russia or anywhere else!