An Address to the Nation . . . by an American Citizen

AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION . . .by an American Citizen

by linda ley hymes

I awoke at 3:00 am today, Sunday, October 20, 2019 after a very restless sleep. My brain recorded a haunting screen shot shown on our TV Saturday night, of a tweet directed at the President of the United States, referencing the tragic assassination of President John Kennedy.

With the support of my amazing husband I am reminded that: “The Only thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that good Men Do Nothing,” I am compelled to do something, so I have chosen to share my Right to free speech with you.

I am not a person of wealth. I grew up in Hawaii in a middle socio-economic status. I am not a large donor to any political party. I have voted in the past for those candidates regardless of their political party affiliation, whom I believed would do their best to act on behalf of the American People. By definition, I am not a racist – I am of Hawaiian Chinese & German ancestry.

Who am I & why should you care what I have to say? I am a woman of Christian Faith who loves our God; I am a woman who loves her Family; I am a woman who loves her Community; and I am woman who loves her Country. I am the daughter of a career non-commissioned Navy officer; the daughter-in-law of a Navy pilot; the sister of a Navy Seal; the sister-in-law of an Army Colonel; and the wife of a Navy pilot. I have tremendous respect and appreciation for our military, our First Responders, and for all those serve others. Of equal importance to me of the Blessings I hold… I am an American Citizen with whom, hopefully, you share the same concerns for our Country, and its People.

In my recent pondering, I reminded myself of the importance of being ever mindful that with the privilege of being an American Citizen, comes responsibility; and, that Freedom is earned – and must be treasured.

Today, it is evident that where we are as a Country and as a People, are not where we want to be, nor can we sustain where we are today. It is also evident that we, as a Country and a People, are in a very self-destructive mode.

I spent a great deal of time in thought over the past weekend – asking myself endless questions pertaining to our Country:

How does this barbaric “seek and destroy” mindset benefit us as a Country or a People?

How is violence and destruction serving us individually, and as a Country?

How did we arrive at where we find ourselves today in our Country?

How did we become a People of such hatred that we wish death upon one another simply because we disagree with one another?

Why do we relish. justify and encourage division of ourselves as human beings?

Why do we feel we must be categorized in order to feel self-identify, rather than considering ourselves a valued individual as a human being?

Why do we believe cruelty, lack of respect and prejudice toward one another is acceptable behavior?

Why do we allow ourselves to believe that attacking others verbally and physically is acceptable behavior?

That the destruction of others to achieve our own goals is now an acceptable strategy to acquire what we believe to be ours?

That we ignore and accept the betrayal by our highest government offices and officials?

That we accept that the insatiable demand for greater amounts of money and power at any and all costs is just “how the game is played”?

That laws that once governed our Country can now be totally disregarded by our leaders, our States, our People?

That even the concept, let alone the reality, of complete control of our Country and its People by anyone or any entity . . . is not worth fighting against?

Some may fault the prior President and his Administration; others will immediately respond that all fault lies with the current Administration. Try as we might, we cannot in Truth cast our Country’s many crises on the shoulders of one person; one political party; one business; one set of leaders.

The harsh fact is, We The People did not just awaken one day and find our World in a serious mess. The fact is, that generations before us, and those adults of the current generation, have allowed us to reach the intersection we find ourselves at today, by freely choosing . . . complacency; and, by our choice, we have not taken responsibility for one another, or for our Country. How dare I make this assertion? Let’s examine the facts.

As a responsible American Citizen, do you have an actual knowledge of the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and its Amendments?

Do you know the three branches of U.S. Government, and what their respective purpose is?

What are the checks and balances that create the separation of powers?

Do you exercise your privilege of voting for our American leaders – or not?

Do you know who the candidates are in your State and Federal governments?

Do you take the time and interest to learn the candidates personal and professional history – their background; their voting history; their position on important matters effecting you, your Loved Ones, your Community, our World?

Do you contact your State and Federal legislators when you feel strongly for or against a matter at issue? Or like many of us, do you allow what you think you hear and read; and the opinions of others – to form what you believe to be True and react accordingly?

To achieve a consequence of value, every act of importance takes effort and responsibility.

We The People have given our power away by choosing - complacency. By failing to be responsible for obtaining the Truth, as individual human beings of higher intelligence – we are throwing away the Freedom and Gift of thought to make our own intelligent decisions. This is also what we are allowing to occur within our Families, places of education and the workforce, when we shut down discussion. Discussion opens our minds and hearts to other possibilities. When we are closed to discussion, we form the thoughts and opinions of others – not our own.

We need to stop hiding for fear of reprisal, and take the risk to express our believes; and, to revert to being concerned, engaged members of our Community; our State and our World.

America has exceptional and endless resources to help us determine the Truth, unlike ever before. These resources are available to each one of us at home and in local libraries. These resources allow us to actually see and hear directly from individuals, rather than to obtain second-hand information.

How can we change the current path in our Country, and as a People?

Next year (2020), the United States of America will have one of, if not the, most important political election in its history. Our Country may be governed by policies we agree with, or that we do not, but we can begin to walk a different path of survival – if we make that choice.

Take the time now to become an “educated consumer” of Democracy. Accept this challenge to redirect your frustrations; your anger; your feeling of helplessness; your discontent concerning our current State of Affairs, by transitioning from complacent to pro-active. Seek the Truth on which you can make your own choices.

Our Government is broken and is in desperate need of repair – we all recognize this Truth. However, the death and destruction of our Country, and/or our People - serves no one - neither our Country, nor its People.

Our military teaches that “no warrior is ever left behind – ever.” First Responders share the same determination in saving victims. Imagine a Country and its People that shared this same determination? If rather than attacking one another, we discussed our differences – and even if we could not agree – we trusted that no fear of verbal or physical harm would occur? What if each one of us, vowed to support one another unconditionally?

I was once told, “You can be a Victim, or you can be a Survivor. The choice is yours.” If not for yourself, dedicate the time that you spend on this challenge – for those who sacrificed so that you may have the Freedoms that you have; for those who gave their lives in the name of Freedom and Democracy; and for all those who put their lives in harm’s way every day – for each of us. Find your own answers based on Fact and Truth – listen to legislative hearings; listen to personal interviews; go on the websites of your government officials; be a Truth-Seeker – not a follower.

Know your facts – know for yourself what is Truth and what is not.

“Nothing Changes, If Nothing Changes” – and each of us can effect change; we can make a difference.

Let There Be Peace On Earth, An Let It Begin With Me – and with you.

America is not perfect. I cannot imagine that any government is perfect. Having said that, in your search of the governments of other Countries, I believe you will find that despite our imperfections, the United States of America remains the greatest Country on Earth.