At my Synagogue, our Monday Book Discussion Group is reading Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.
As we finish the book, it is clear to me that in our divided country, the definition of patriotism is taking a severe beating. If the Common Good has a chance of being restored in America, then the Democrats must define patriotism in public. We must define what it means to be an American, or the anti-democratic party on the right will redefine America as a dictatorship.
Since 2015, in every way possible, the right wing of American politics and culture has turned its back on democracy and grabbed for power to the point of celebrating immorality. The attack on the Capitol on January 6 was promoted and orchestrated and blessed by the former President and his minions in Congress. They celebrate the murder of police officers. They want more.
He is out of office, but his traitors continue to hold office in our democratic government. That is wrong. Everyone who voted for the insurrection should be stripped of office. The worst of them: Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley and the lawmakers who brought the terrorists into the Capitol should be jailed for their crimes.
The Evangelical Church in America takes the words of Jesus and pisses on them. How could anyone who has ever read the Sermon on the Mount think the former President is sent by or chosen by God? He is a bully, a coward, and brags about breaking commandments. The preachers who promote him are worse because they know better.
Democrats are the only leaders who voted to help poor and needy Americans with relief. The recent rescue bill passed the Congress with the votes of those who care about Americans who lost their jobs, their health, their health insurance, and family members during the pandemic.
Democrats care about and promote Voting Rights, Women's Rights, Civil Rights, and LGBTQ Rights. President Joseph Biden is fighting the pandemic and working to undo the damage done by the former occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
We fight for families,
we fight for kids,
we fight for the poor,
we fight for jobs with a living wage,
we fight for the free exercise of religion,
the other side spews hate and fights only for donors.
Democrats want liberty and justice for all. We are the patriots. The party of Qanon and hate is not America.
