The Politics of Malice

"With malice toward none, with charity for all." -- Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address, 1865.

When did we lose sight of that line?

   Now we are engaged in a great war of incivility, to paraphrase Lincoln, testing whether this nation, founded on principles of equality and liberty, will endure.
  Today we are engulfed by a great flood of malice toward many and tax charity for the wealthy few.
   The malice is directed at those who look different, or who speak differently, or who follow a different spiritual path, or all of the above.
   Many who practice such malice forget that at one time their forebears were themselves victims of similar malice, who came to this country to escape such treatment only to face it again, even though such bigotry and discrimination was banned by the American tradition and its founding documents.
  
   Was Lincoln a dreamer, and unrealistic? Perhaps. But America has long been a haven for dreamers knocking at the Golden Door of opportunity. In January 1941, Franklin Roosevelt listed Four Freedoms essential to the American way -- Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Today, however, these Four Freedoms are under siege.
   Current political leaders, including the president, try to prevent disagreement and insist that no one question their policies. These same officials ignore those who need food, clothing and shelter, claiming those who want and need help somehow don't deserve it.
   The result of all this is that many in need live in fear they will be punished simply because of their religious beliefs, because they speak out in protest, or because they suffer hunger and illness.
   Thus, the American goal of charity for all has been replaced by a practice of malice for all who are somehow "different."
   However, on the inside, none are "different." We are all created equal. Yet many today deny that, and act as if some are more equal than others, that those "others" should submit to the dictates of their "betters."
   They have taken to themselves the right to decide who is "better," and that others are their "lessers," who must do as they're told or face dire consequences.
   But this can only happen if we the people allow it.