Following the results of the November 2024 election, hope has been in short supply. Previous experience with the man elected President left no room to hope that someone thought inadequate for the job he sought might rise to the occasion. Our worst fears have materialized with the appointments and actions taken by the sworn President.
When officials fail to take the responsibility of their jobs seriously even our vaunted Constitution, our most promising protection, cannot save us. Thus it is easy, natural to fall into a hopeless depression that we can ill afford. We all know that tough times have been with us in all eras without succumbing to the circumstances but when you are amid such times answers are few and far between.
Even I who consider myself a community activist find despair in the limitations of an individual of advanced age. However, a look back at history refreshing my knowledge of the lives of some of those who preceded us on this planet has sparked a small bit of hope.
Because the bizarre stands out in the news it is difficult to recognize there is more good than bad in just the daily lives of ordinary people. Then there are those who in one way or another do the unimaginable. Sometimes only death brings the deserved recognition.
With Jimmy Carter, our 39th President, dying at the time of the inauguration of this man of sharp contrast of character we focus on the hard look necessary. By his own admission, Carter was a better “Past President” than actual President. Certainly, few would argue with the grand assessment of his use of his experience and stature to make, along with wife Rosalyn, better lives for millions throughout the world untouched by our borders.
What makes these contributions so stunning is the contrast between these two presidents. One lives a life of egomaniac with desire for personal power and unmeasurable wealth while the other whether in office or private life devotes himself to what we hope all humans could be: caring beyond their own personal comfort be it daily unnoticed actions or opportunities of recognized needs. Leaders must have followers.
What a difference between those who choose Carter’s lifestyle and that of the current President who has shown little to no promise of considering anyone except his buddies willing to go along with the idea of me and mine instead of serving the less fortunate. At this point, this country, the richest in the entire world, is withdrawing help and asking the less fortunate to make us even richer. Why they would want to do such is beyond my comprehension.
Few of us will ever be in a position to make the contributions of Carter, but there are opportunities in our daily actions as well as working together in various charitable organizations. I mention Mercy Ships here simply because it largely benefits the same type of world populations whom the Carters have served, people with limited resources living in conditions with unknown physical challenges that we have been inclined to think no longer existed. For all our troubles in our nation we are so much more blessed than so many in this world.
Yes, the last election was beyond disappointing. At the time, and insofar as we see in these weeks since, we had, and have, every reason to be frightened, not just disappointed. It demands that we be more inspired, more dedicated to doing whatever small part each can.
The nation created with such high hope needs us as never before. It did not get this far by giving in to fear and despair. It isn’t a lack of bad times but because sufficient citizens committed to the right values that the nation has survived. It is because individuals little expected to shine put in the effort that made the difference. Ordinary people committed to a principle that all deserve democracy and set about to create such a society.
There have been many faults along the way, but now it is ours to protect and persevere. A heretofore respected political party seems to have abandoned the high principle expressed in our Constitution and replaced it with greed and corruption. The task is daunting, but we must assume the responsibility of continuing the dream of humans peacefully sharing the resources of this world for the good of all.
We can do no less. We must do no less.
