The Ties that Bind
My fellow citizens:
The ugliness that has been allowed to persist, to come out of the woodwork, to permeate our media, our communities, and our lives must come to an end.
Hatred is becoming prevalent.
Absolutes from both sides are being thrown around as if they are truth.
American’s loyalty, worth, spirit, and agenda are being questioned as if we live in the time of McCarthy.
There is a storm brewing.
It is toxic.
It is dangerous.
It is time to stand up and say, “No more.”
We must not allow ourselves, OUR COUNTRY, to be taken over by hate. We have a RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the very foundation on which this country has been built
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
remains secure. The very separatist language that permeated this election has in fact denied safety, denied liberty from Americans. We cannot allow it.
We need to abolish it.
It is irresponsible to give those on the fringe of our society a voice which would just as soon take that of others away. It draws others in, permeating the subconscious of America, giving those on the fringe power and justifying their charge.
The ties that bind us are strong. Many of our ancestors came here to escape persecution, to have their thoughts and ideas honored, to find liberty, to find opportunity.
Ellis Island. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
This is the fabric of America; a quilt made up of different pieces of cloth, sewn together to serve a purpose.
This country was not founded on the premise of us vs. them. It was founded with a resounding “WE THE PEOPLE”.
So today, let us recognize and LIVE the fact that what unites us is greater that what divides us. That:
Whether right or left, we all have the liberty to have our thoughts and ideas respected.
Whether rich or poor, we all have the intense desire to provide for ourselves and our families.
Whether young or old, we all have a past, a present, and a future.
Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, agnostic or atheist, we all seek comfort and peace.
Whether of European, Asian, African, South American, or Middle Eastern descent, we all are human and thereby have feelings and rights.
That America is not just ‘apple pie’, but is made up a diverse population, all Americans.
I am asking all of you to speak up and speak out. To stop our separatist language whether it comes from the right or the left. To not use language designed to tear others down, but language that is designed to buoy us all up. I am asking you to SHOW the true nature of America: to respect others, even if you disagree, to serve your community, to help others in need.
America cannot be destroyed by the negative words and actions of the few. It is time to take America back from the brink of civil war, back from those that would divide us.
It is time for us to unite and serve the greater good.
(I am thinking of forming a Ties that Bind Us Rally in Philadelphia, our Nation’s birthplace. I need help though. I am former educator and SAHM lacking contacts. If any of you have contacts for speakers or can assist in anyway (stage, recruiting, etc) , please contact me. Thanks in advance.)
15 Responses to “The Ties that Bind”
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Wow. Powerful stuff. I wish I was closer to help.
Brenda – SeriouslyMama’s last blog post..The Ties that Bind
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Hey Corina. I would like to learn more about what you are thinking. I think it is definitely a great concept and would love to lend a hand where I can. Maybe we can chat via email.
Oh, and don’t let Brenda off that easy, she can lend a hand, even from BFE Wisconsin.
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Okay Mr. SmartyPants.
Count me in. Corina, give me details, maybe we can rally together…
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Alright you two…. one upping each other are we? LOL I will be contacting you two, but, right now I am facing a HUGE stumbling block. Since I just came up with this idea on Saturday, needed time to figure out paperwork (during the business week). There is alot involved, but that is not the problem. The real problem is that I would have to reimburse the city for rentals, insurance, and public safety for the event. I have NO IDEA how much that would cost. Therefore, I might have spoken too soon (it is just little ol’ me out here with this idea). Maybe we need to find some others that have done this before that know the ways of the system.
Thanks for your offer! I have attended marches and rallies before, just never planned one. Especially the potential for something this big. Doing it alone seems impossible. The stumbling block makes it seem insurmountable at this point. I appreciate any info or contacts you may have or know.
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Corina,
I’m in Upper Bucks. Fabulous idea. I’d be happy to do a short seminar and help however I can. You may want to just contact Mayor Nutter’s office or some big sponsor like? – How about Red Cross? They have a big presence in Philly. Reimburse with sponsor money.
Key questions: Who benefits by having their name on this??? Who cares enough to help?
Go for it. You can do it.
Jim
Jim Donovan’s last blog post..The Ties that Bind
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Beautiful post.
Erin, aka queenofspain’s last blog post..The Ties that Bind
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Thank you for this. I really don’t know how our political discourse has devolved so badly to the point we find ourselves now.
PunditMom’s last blog post..The Ties that Bind
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Thanks for the encouragement, Jim. I needed to be pointed in a good direction. Erin and PunditMom: Thanks too. I think that it needed to be said. I really have nothing against good old fashioned disagreements and arguments. They are necessary to the democracy. The real problem I see is the negative, the hate. It detracts from what needs to be done… and hurts.
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Amazing post. Our place, simply existing as equal human beings in this country, boils down to everything you’ve pointed out here. I am DONE with the hate, its been “normalized” for far too long. And hate thats being spread for political gain disgusts me even further. You can bet I’ll be stumbling this right away. Please blog more about that rally!
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Thanks, so much Caroline. Just today I read of a woman canvasser getting punched in the face, tires being slashed at a rally, and more epithets being thrown around at rallies. Enough is enough.
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It’s so interesting to watch what is going on down there in the US. We, as Canadians, are very interested to see the outcome of this election and to see what shape your country takes into the future. Watching the campaigning has been an eye-opening and, at many moments, unbelievable experience.
I have always enjoyed time I’ve spent in the US and those Americans I’ve gotten to know, however these days, it’s somewhat nervewracking being your neighbour.
I truly hope that there is a bright, positive and fulfilling future for your country. All the best, and keep up the great posts. Good luck with the rally.
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Corina, I don’t know how you found me but I’m so glad you did. I’m guessing that many of us bloggers are getting a wee bit tired of the dirt getting thrown around this election year. The bottom fell out for me today as I watched the Muslim McCain backers confront the racist dishing out garbage at a rally over the weekend.
I’m an Obama supporter. That doesn’t mean I “hate” McCain. Despite the choices those POTUS potentials gave us for Veeps, I don’t hate them either. Disagree? For sure.
And obviously the whole crux of your post permeates throughout society these days mainly due to 9/11.
I wish I could participate at the rally but I live a long ways from Philly.
Bennie’s last blog post..The Ties that Bind
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This presidential campaign has made me weary. I’m so disappointed in the hate and anger that has surfaced from people that I had respected so much previously. Thanks for this eye-opening post.
Michele @ The Integrated Mother’s last blog post..One Last Bloom – Wordless Wed.
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I am here to help although I am not sure how. I do think Mayor Nutter is the person to talk to. Time before the elecion is short but that does not mean the country will not benefit by uniting afterwords. I believe Obama will win the white house which in the short term might send those who disagree that he should be president even more dangerous. I have hope that Obama will change our country to once again be respected around the world. The job is a huge one considering how we are viewed now, but it is heartwarming to see that there are good people out there who understand the imoprtance of unity. Grandmom
Grandma’s last blog post..One Last Bloom – Wordless Wed.
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