The founders of the United States of America described the essence of this nation by the motto E Pluribus Unum, “out of many, one”. They believed that free individuals could organize and govern themselves, and for over two hundred years, they have been correct. Our democratic republic has become the strongest, richest nation in the world. Today we are in danger of losing the freedoms that made our country great. Our history is being erased; our system of government is being dismantled; truth is being distorted. America could now better be described as “out of one, many groups pitted against each other for political gain.”
Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” If we are to remain free in this generation, as well as those to follow, we must trust God and put loyalty to our country above loyalty to our gender, ethnicity, political party, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation. We must relate as individuals, heart to heart.
My hope is to provide a forum for dialog among Americans. We each have unique perspectives to lend to the discussion. If we will talk to each other with respect for individual differences and without talking points, maybe we can restore the heart of this country. Just maybe, we can solve the problems that have divided us to become “one” once again.
Is that a pipe dream? Are we so alienated that we can no longer hear what the other side is saying? Maybe we really all want the same things, but extremists on either side have distorted our words so much we can’t understand each other. Can we think any more deeply than a slogan allows? We won’t know if we don’t try.
I’ll go first each week. It’s a dangerous proposition to become vulnerable with you, but even more so not to. Join me if you dare. Remember, E Pluribus Unum.
Heart to Heart 