Livin' In The U.S..A.

I may be making this up out of my own imagination, but I’m almost sure I remember--right here in the U.S.A--legislators making laws to address or remedy some problem facing our nation or world.  I remember leaders of cities, states and/or our country taking action to implement laws or at least constructively discuss ways to do so.  Was there ever really a time when people praised this or that court decision that protected our freedoms or rights in the way they should be?  None of these things seem to happen today.  Maybe if we could hear about or even find just a couple of such instances, even if the stories weren’t all positive, find a healthy mix of positive outcomes, then maybe....  Probably not, I guess.

Then, I might also wake up some morning when no one in our leadership has insulted or responded in kind to some insult or slight.  I guess that is just too much to expect.  We have put the tools of self-expression out there to all and they just cannot help themselves.  They have to share their inner demons.  Now that the tools are in their hands, they can’t help but write whatever comes to mind.  Would they say it to that person if they were in the room or sitting across the table from them?

I have more than once said to people that direct contact or conversation in person with others with whom we might have a disagreement is the best way to at least understand what our differences are in a respectful way.  Texting and even emails are a poor substitute for direct conversation, even if that conversation cannot be face-to-face and must take place over the phone.  We would have a chance of being clear with one another instead of just throwing judgments or insults at everyone.   It is much more likely that we will speak our minds in a more moderate form if we are speaking in person (most of us, anyway).   

Does anyone use Twitter to say something positive, or is it simply that such communication (the positive kind) is not newsworthy or deserving of our attention?   I know those tweets are out there, but I guess I should also look at who is doing the tweeting before I begin to expect something so radical as a positive statement of support for a person or position that doesn’t attack everyone who does not share their point of view.  Most of these people are politicians or celebrities who can only get the attention they crave by vitriol.  I don’t consider myself a Pollyanna, I feel like I’m pretty pragmatic and realistic, I don’t expect everyone to get along, but come on people….