Dialog for Hope

Americans of all beliefs want to come together as a country and find our commonalities. But, we are engaged in a divisive non-discussion of our differences. Seemingly, we just shout at each other - sound and fury signifying nothing.

Part of the difficulty may be that many Conservatives recognize only emotions as legitimate discussion points while Liberals recognize only facts as legitimate.

It is time for Liberals to join a discussion about emotions.

One of the dominant themes in Conservative emotions seems to be fear of change. From that fear may spring hatred of any ideas and people which appear to support change.

The antidote to that fear may well be hope.

Maybe if Liberals talk about the things we hope for instead of the things we are against, we can find a common ground with some Conservatives. We are all Americans and perhaps focusing on the goals we all want can help bring us together.

We are weak when we are divided and strong when we are together.

A great thing about that is there are lots and lots of things we can all hope for.

Here is a preliminary list - please add your own.

THE AMERICAN DREAM

The American Dream is not dead but it is asleep. We want to revive that dream where our children can have better lives. We hope that the barriers to that dream can be removed or reduced.

ALL AMERICANS DESERVE A CHANCE TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM

Our dream is about the opportunity to secure a better life through hard work. But, severe inequalities of incomes and wealth between Americans make it difficult for all Americans to achieve that dream.

Those who work actively to enrich themselves at the expense of others are Un-American. It is an American value to prevent that from occurring and then punish those who try to do so.

Americans who cannot try, or who try and fail to achieve that dream should not be abandoned by our country. We are all in it together and we have the responsibility to care for those who do not succeed.

THERE IS ONLY ONE SET OF FACTS

We will come together more quickly when the truth is told. The truth always comes out. And, a Free Press is the best guarantor that the truth will come out. The Mainstream Media is being attacked today because some politicians don't like the truth.

While there is a single set of facts, it is difficult to find them since perceptions of truth can vary from observer to observer. Our best hope to finding truth is the Mainstream Media which discovers and then verifies facts.

Alternative facts are lies; there is only one real set of facts.

Abraham Lincoln said it: 'You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.'

AMERICA IS A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS

America WELCOMES immigrants. We do not fear immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants. As long as those who seek to come here are vetted to prevent those who would do us harm from entering, we welcome all who wish to be Americans.

Erecting false and illegal barriers to immigration is simply cruel and fundamentally Un-American.

AMERICA IS A SECULAR COUNTRY WHICH RESPECTS ALL FAITHS.

Person of all faiths are free to practice their personal faith without persecution. There is no officially recognized state religion. Established police authorities will secure that right for all.