An America I'm Proud Of

On Saturday, my husband I traveled an hour to a wonderful public beach. The beach was clean and well staffed. All along the mile or so of sandy coastline sat people young and old gathered together to enjoy what was a perfect beach day. Children safely swam at the ocean's edge as dedicated guards looked over them. Gatherings large and small of friends and families representing a great diversity of culture, class, language, and interests were everywhere spread out along the sandy shore. They engaged in countless activities such as throwing balls, reading books, telling stories, napping, swimming, sharing a picnic lunch, and building sand castles.

Sunfish

At one moment, a large fin could be seen in the distance. People were frightened, but then others calmed their fears as they explained that the fin belonged to a sunfish rather than a great white shark. There was camaraderie and friendship expressed at that moment as strangers came together to figure something out.

The day represented the United States of America I have been proud to live in my whole life--a country that brings all kinds of diverse people together in positive, promising ways. There were no words of prejudice at the beach as people of many shades played together. There were no taunting remarks made towards people of many body sizes, educational, and economic backgrounds as people placed their beach towels, chairs, umbrellas, and blankets next to each other. Instead every one of the 1,000's of people I watched as I walked up and down the beach seemed to be happy to spend the day in a beautiful place set aside for the public's enjoyment and recreation.

This beautiful beach day symbolized for me the United States I value--a country that sets aside beautiful land for the enjoyment of all. The price to enter the beach was small, thus making it an accessible recreational spot. The beautiful beach day also demonstrated that people can get along despite their many differences--they can sit and recreate side by side without angry conversation and hurtful acts. We can learn from each other too. I talked to many as I played in the water and walked along the shore. I met so many enthusiastic children who clearly were delighted to have the chance to spend the day at a beach. One young woman told me it was her large family group's first day at the beach all summer--she and her many cousins hardly left the water's edge all day as they rode small waves to shore with their boogie boards.

I want an America that looks out for the lives of all both here and abroad. An America that regards our beautiful, natural lands as places to sustain good living and recreation for all, not just a few wealthy folk. I want an America that helps everyone to understand that  most people no matter what their class, religion, shade, interests, or culture are good people who most of all enjoy being with and taking care of those they love.

I am tired of the Trump times--times that bring forth shadows of oppressive feudalism where there are have's and have-not's--times when clean water, clean air, and clean soil are relegated for a few while environmental rollbacks poison the land and water of the many sacrificing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for most people.

I am tired of Trump times because Trump and his cronies side with foreign leaders who promote crimes against humanity, environmental demise, violence, and inequality.

I am tired of Trump times that greatly elevate the financial wealth of a few which translates into greater voice and power for a the greedy folk while others are relegated to sub-par living and opportunity. This greed makes all of us less safe, less happy, and less secure in our country. Trump and his cronies and family members here and abroad tear at the fabric of the United States as they show infidelity to their oaths of office, oaths that say they'll abide by the United States Constitution to insure domestic tranquility and secure the welfare of ALL, not just a few white, wealthy folk.

I am tired of Trump using our hard earned tax money and good lands as his personal slush fund and trove to trade, sell, and exploit to elevate his own standing, wealth, and needs.

I am tired of the cronyism and nepotism that Trump uses as he gives away important positions in government to those that have favored him in one way or another, by doing this Trump creates a weak and self-serving leadership team that does not have the credentials, skill, experience, or ability to lead our country well for all, but instead makes up a team that serves Trump and his cronies' ever changing, me-first greedy agenda.

Trump's weak, self-serving, ignorant leadership compromises the promise the United States holds to evolve in ways that better enable us to be a country that works for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Those who manipulate and tell Trump what to do via donations, invitations, and gifts, threats, privilege, and possibly blackmail are as dangerous or more than Trump and all of his self-serving, narrow minded cronies and family members.

My day at the beach represented the America I hope that we'll all work for, an America that is happily safe, diverse, and invited to participate in all the opportunity that can exist for good living in a great, strong, resourceful country. We can do better, and that means turning our sights and support towards bright, collaborative, energetic, experienced, intelligent leaders like Elizabeth Warren and so many others who are sacrificing their time, dollars, education, and hard work to make the United States the good country that it can be.