By Jane Doe, Yakima
[‘Jane Doe’ is a legal term generally used as the name of an unknown party or person who wishes to remain anonymous.]
It is time for all Americans to ask themselves whether the United States Constitution is worth defending or whether we allow it to be destroyed by an autocrat whose goal is to become the king that George Washington soundly rejected. Many Americans strongly disagree on how to proceed. Unyielding polarization on this question is threatening to dismantle a democracy that has become a model for the world. Washington knew that a government led by autocrats and kings would be the death of democracy. The writers of the Constitution knew it, too. Initially, some colonies did not agree with its wording or policies. In fact, the adoption of the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments), although passed the year after the Constitution was signed, was part of the deal agreed upon to get the opposing colonies to support and ratify it. Sounds like a refreshing, serious debate where everyone could be heard and reasonable compromises could be achieved before a majority passed laws that most everyone could live with. Right now, it’s as if we are stuck in concrete unable to move, our mouths are taped shut and each side is totally right and each side is totally wrong.
Van Jones, an intelligent, astute political commentator, just recited a personal story involving Charlie Kirk. Jones emphasized he and Kirk had been arguing for weeks as was common between them. Jones thought Kirk was dangerous and loudly wrong, a charismatic but deceitful provocateur who supported a corrupt and immoral administration. He reported that the night before Kirk was killed, Kirk texted saying (as paraphrased by Jones) that they should come together as gentlemen agreeing to respectfully disagree. He further said they should discuss their different views about a recent rather explosive argument they had been having for a long time, and they should do it in a civil manner to set an example. Kirk appeared to be interested in working with Jones to diffuse hatred by talking and working together. Jones, who only saw the text after Kirk’s death, was understandably caught off guard and even shocked. In 24 hours, everything had changed. Whatever might have come from such a conversation was gone. Jones was rather emotional as he recalled the text. Maybe there had been a tiny bit of hope for civil discourse. AND, then there wasn’t. If we want to save our embattled democracy we’d better start talking and maybe more importantly start listening to each other. Abraham Lincoln said a country divided cannot stand. He was certainly right then, and a country divided in 2025 can’t stand either.
I have a friend who is my political opposite. We try not to talk about it but sometimes we do. We try to stay reasonable and not raise our defensive hackles but sometimes we do. This has continued for years. Recently, I find myself angry with her. I mean really, really, angry. We just cannot find any common ground no matter how hard I try. I don’t think she’s trying at all. I know she is wrong. She and those like her are so wrong. They are stubbornly ill-informed, biased, hateful and proud members of a cult-like group who will not disagree with their ridiculous leader no matter how despicable and cruel he is. They have been brainwashed by a maniac and can’t see it. Whoa. Can I back up a minute and try to talk to her again? Can I set aside my nausea and repugnance not only of her beliefs but now of her as well? I’m not sure but I damn better try. If Americans still exists, we’d better at least try to find some common ground. Without ending our polarization, and quickly, our divided house will indeed be the death of America as we know it. So, it’s time to stop talking about talking to each other and just do it.
Stranger things have happened. Recently.
