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thing I had just watched on C-Span. (Watching the Congress<br />
and Senate live as it’s happening can really make<br />
you aware of the divisiveness we currently face.) The<br />
person I was having the discussion with just kept screaming<br />
“FAKE NEWS!” and calling me names. I asked how<br />
can this be fake if I just watched it happen on the Senate<br />
floor? More name calling. This is what has to stop. Become<br />
educated to the facts. Both sides agree on that point,<br />
yet there seems to be a disagreement on what is factual<br />
and what is not. I realize some are not as engrossed in the<br />
nitty gritty of political discourse these days, but if all you<br />
can do is quote talking points from either side, you don’t<br />
truly have all the facts. By the way, if you start out with<br />
“well, Hillary did this” or “Obama did that” when we’re<br />
discussing the current situation, it sounds really “off the<br />
subject” - sorry.<br />
4. Speaking of fake news, not everything is fake news!<br />
There are different slats put on stories from each news<br />
agency. For example, CNN might look at the North Korea<br />
situation from the viewpoint of the diplomatic mistakes<br />
being made, while FOX will report on it from the viewpoint<br />
of what an oppressive country it is. Again, these are<br />
opinions, and sometimes facts. Why not learn the policies<br />
which created a situation. I think Rachel Maddow<br />
has done some great investigative journalism in the past. I<br />
also think FOX News Sunday does a good job of being responsible.<br />
Find the facts, they’re out there. Don’t be afraid<br />
of an opposing viewpoint. The issue that the President of<br />
the United States is calling out most journalists as fake is<br />
very disconcerting and should be a concern to us all.<br />
5. Get involved! Get to know your Senators and Representatives.<br />
They work for us. We are their bosses. Know<br />
where they stand on the issues and if you disagree with<br />
something, make a phone call, write a letter, send an e-<br />
mail. Believe me, we the people can make things happen.<br />
To once again quote Tom Hartman, democracy isn’t a<br />
spectator sport. It requires that we all be engaged in making<br />
policy decisions happen. Join one of the local political<br />
organizations around town. That’s always a great way to<br />
start getting involved.<br />
6. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! This is another one of our most<br />
powerful tools to keep our self-governing democracy<br />
alive. It’s hard to know how we the people think if only<br />
35% of us vote. For our voices to be heard, we must take<br />
advantage of this powerful right.<br />
So, this is my New Year’s revolution. Let’s try to talk<br />
to each other in a civil manner. This country is made up<br />
of many cultures, religions, ethnicity, and principles. Everybody’s<br />
viewpoint is valid. Let’s try to make things a<br />
little better for everybody. Let’s come together again as<br />
a people and hold our servant government accountable to<br />
US! That’s how to truly make America great.<br />
Brevard Live January 2018 - 23
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