Where There’s Will
There’s a Way
In 1776, the thirteen North American colonies broke from Great Britain because tea cost too much. In 2024, the 50 states of an uneasy union elected a tyrant to the office of President because eggs and gas were too pricey. These are simplistic explanations for complex seasons of discontent.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Signing
In 2024, personhood and citizenship also were issues of concern and contention. The barely united states are quibbling over whether to evolve past the principles and practices of the patriarchal society which invented their form of governance. Both sides of every issue are ready to fight and die on the hill of their perspective on each and every contested truth and associated right.
The fog of battle is no good place to attempt a reasoned conversation. The Democratic Party attempted that impossibility with fairly predictable results. While we wait for the smoke to clear so we can more accurately count our dead, the time is ripe for consideration of roads for reconciliation.
Our first task is to locate persons of good will and steady character. On both sides of the breach.
Thomas Jefferson wrote our founding document. The Committee of Five revised it. The Second Continental Congress approved and published it. All these actions were taken by well-educated and landed WASPs. Many owned slaves and wives. They were rebels. They risked (and some lost) their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to cast off the yoke of a divinely protected monarchy and its high-handed Parliament. It was a tax on tea that roused them to action. The tax made the cost of their favorite beverage unaffordable.
The soaring rhetoric of their rationale for revolution strikes a true chord today. It is worth reciting in full. So we may consider it in essential parts.
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for an Oppressed People to Rise, and assert their Natural Rights, as Human Beings, as Native & mutual Citizens of a free Republic, and break that odious Yoke of oppression, which is so unjustly laid upon them by their fellow Countrymen, and to assume among the powers of Earth the same equal privileges to which the Laws of Nature, & natures God entitle them; A moderate respect for the opinions of Mankind, requires that they should declare the causes which incite them to this just & worthy action.
We hold these truths to be Self Evident; That All Men are Created Equal; That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That among these are Life, Liberty; & the persuit of happiness. That Nature hath freely given to all Men, a full Supply of Air. Water, & Land; for their sustinance, & mutual happiness, That No Man has any right to deprive his fellow Man, of these Inherent rights, except in punishment of Crime. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That when any form of Government, becomes destructive to these ends, It is the right of the People, to alter, Amend, or Remoddel it, Laying its foundation on Such Principles, & organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect the safety, & happiness of the Human Race.[159]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence#Signing
What are these once self-evident truths and inalienable rights now so intensely contested?
Life.
For whom? For how long? Under what conditions?
Liberty.
To do what? Where? When? How?
Pursuit of Happiness.
Who makes the decision about your gender preference? Your reproductive capability, condition, and use? Where you live? What and how often you eat? Whether you work, and if so, where, how long, and for what recompense? Whether you can number and read and reason well enough to be the informed and interested voter upon whom our form of governance depends?
It cannot be disputed that, in the current course of events in this country, power no longer is evenly distributed and justice no longer is equal for all. Some of our fellow countrymen are not playing fair. It is absolutely maddening to attempt to get MAGA faithful to accept the simple truth that the Billionaire Boys Clubs holds them in contempt.
I submit that it is time to be done with the self-recriminations, navel gazing, and circular firing squads fashionable among those most responsible for, and stinging from, the Election 2024 loss. It’s over. It’s done. Project 2025 is upon us. Get a grip. Depose policy loss leaders. Ask the Wizard for a backbone. And your God for a better attitude. Read the room and play to win.
I do not subscribe to “If you can’t beat ‘em, cheat ‘em.” I better like “Fake it ‘til you can make it.”
Whistling a happy tune through a graveyard is more my style. Sure, I am scared senseless. But among all the dark and evil things drifting among the uneasy dead, there is the occasional broken angel to strengthen and orient my determined trudge toward the light of hope, reason, and reconciliation. We the People are stronger than They the Patriarchs.
Joni Mitchell wrote my marching song.
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
Oh, but now old friends, they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well, something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
It is true. Where there is will, there is a way.
Go, team, go.
While reading the words of the Declaration of Independence, I actually sensed the sacred geometry in the gematria of the words. They are holy to me - and to many other Americans. And then I caught myself singing Joni's Both Sides Now… and remembering how things were back when she wrote it. We are in a helluva place in time. There are only so many things we can control. Whistling helps. Humming does too. Toss in a wink and a twinkle - there is magic therein! Magic is simply your know how and your power to manifest your intentions. Pay no attention to the things that are beyond your control. They are simply black holes that consume your energy and accomplish absolutely nothing. Focus on keeping yourself well and happy. That is completely in your control. Declare Independence from the Circus of Chaos and create your own enchanted environment. Unplug and go outside and play. You'll feel much better.
Brilliant, inspired, and insightful, this post has all of the elements that I love in the words of Substack writers with massive audiences, specifically @heathercoxrichardson for historical context, @walterrhein for reality checks on injustice, and @jasonprovencio for your work ethic of daily publishing and quick wit.