I was sitting on a plane flying home from New York, where I had the privilege of appearing on Gutfeld!
And while I wanted nothing more than to recline my seat, have a Bloody Mary, and watch some baking shows I had downloaded from Netflix, I forced myself to write about stuff I think needs to be said.
Life is short. Write it down.
So I did…
There’s a line from the musical masterpiece, “Hamilton.” After the American colonists successfully revolt against Great Britain, the chorus sings, “The World Turned Upside Down.”
The line is intended to capture the stunning turn of events in world history.
But these days, I hear that line in my head for different reasons. I hear it because it appears as if we are now living in an alternate universe… like the world has turned upside down. And not in a good way.
A lot of history repeats itself. And often times, we think we are experiencing something novel and unprecedented when, in fact, we can find similar instances in history.
This current era reminds some of the volatile 1960’s.
And, if you read the masterpiece “John Adams” by the late, great David McCullough, you learned that politics has always been a dirty sport and that there has been tumult since the Founding in 1776.
But there is something particularly sinister in the air these days, and no, it’s not Donald Trump.
Whether you love Trump or hate him (it’s about 50-50, isn’t it?), you should be concerned with how ANY American citizen is treated by the FBI, Department of Justice, IRS or other government entity.
Because ALL government entities are tainted by politics. Show me otherwise.
Sure, politicians are, well, political. But our institutions, agencies, and LAWS should not be used politically. They should not be weaponized.
The government of the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln emphasized in the Gettysburg Address, a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
But we can’t take the Constitution or its future for granted.
Lincoln wanted us to dedicate ourselves to making sure this purest form of democracy would not “perish from the earth.”
Ben Franklin famously said we had “A republic, if you can keep it.”
During the 2016 election, I asked former Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice if she was worried about the country given the candidates we had to choose from that cycle. After a bit of conversation she finally said to me, “The Republic will survive.”
I want to believe that.
But Lincoln said something in a separate speech which could be summarized as follows: the biggest threat to our democracy would not come from foreign aggressors but in the form of suicide.
Suicide is often committed by people who hate themselves, feel despair, have no hope and possess no faith in the future.
Are Americans so divided that they feel those sentiments toward their own country? Are willing to let her perish? Do they understand the pain that would result?
And how did we become so utterly divided?
The division is being sown at a very early age. I have two kids in school. I see firsthand what the agendas of some of their classes are.
When schools are teaching kids that they are either (1) oppressed or (2) the oppressors, they are instilling division, fear, and shame — none of which gets these students anywhere. And none of which these children deserve to experience.
Gender lessons are being emphasized to children as early as pre-school. Meanwhile reading scores are dropping like a stone.
And instead of instilling courage and fortitude in students to make them strong and resilient, schools are creating “safe spaces” to insulate kids from any adversities.
What a shame to ignore the lessons of ancient philosophers, like Marcus Aurelius, who said, “A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it."
We aren’t preparing kids to be productive, happy humans… Schools seem to be operating with the aim of creating social activists who will eventually go on to apply for student loan forgiveness because they didn’t acquire a valuable college degree.
Then there is the suppression of speech. In America we are blessed with some of the greatest freedoms on earth — including freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
But when the FBI visits Facebook to ask them to mute a story on Hunter Biden, we should be alarmed. And really pissed off.
When the border is as porous as Swiss cheese, US citizens begin to ask why their concerns are being pushed aside to allow for the illegal entry of immigrants.
In my head I’m already hearing the backlash: “You must hate immigrants, Michele. You’re anti-immigration! You’re xenophobic!”
First, please know I’ve already been accused of that absurdity, so save your breath. Second, you might want to do your homework about how my Dad’s family arrived in the US.
#Legally.
How can Americans refuse to acknowledge what is obviously going on under the influence of progressive policies?
Chaos at the border.
Increasing crime.
Downtrodden police officers.
Overrun hospitals.
Declining military enlistment.
Deteriorating education.
Increasing antisemitic attacks.
Weakening corporate spines.
Cancel culture.
Rising gas prices.
Baby formula and tampon shortages.
Science as religion — no matter what.
Obsession with identity politics.
Yet people still want to come to this “Shining City on a Hill.”
Why?
Hope.
Escape from communism.
Escape from socialism.
Freedom.
Liberty.
So while leftists and progressives continue to pile on and focus on our nation’s blemishes while at the same time demanding an impossible utopia, others see the bigger picture:
The pursuit of happiness.
Unalienable rights.
Again, I hear the blowback: “What about the stain of slavery? What about mass incarceration? What about our carbon footprint? What about misogyny and transphobia?”
Slavery should be taught in every school. ALL history should be taught accurately and through the lens of truth, not theory.
Before making statements about mass incarceration, people may want to read Rafael A. Mangual’s “Criminal (In)Justice.”
As we work toward cleaner energy, let’s go beyond the first level thinking of “Fossil fuels are bad. Solar is good.” Let’s look closely at how solar panels are made — and later disposed of. Let’s give a lot of thought to nuclear energy. Let’s let things evolve rather than assume everyone can afford a Tesla.
And if you are really concerned about misogyny, do some work! Volunteer at places that fight trafficking and its root causes. And strengthen the will of the women in your life, while demanding good character from the men in your life.
As far as transphobia, be careful how you use the label. Misusing labels will ultimately make them meaningless. Instead, root out actual transphobia. (PS: It is not transphobic to argue that females — persons with two X chromosomes — should not have to compete in sports against males — person’s with one X and one Y chromosome.)
And because you haven’t stopped reading this yet, let me encourage you to do the following:
Determine your values. Prioritize them. My top five (in no particular order) are:
Family
Integrity
Security
Health
Happiness
That last one, happiness, isn’t selfish. I know that if I am happy, my husband and kids will benefit. My readers and listeners will feed off of it. The people I interact with daily will sense it. People naturally gravitate toward happy people.
And if I CHOOSE to be unhappy? My husband and kids will feel it. My readers and listeners will feed off of it. The people I interact with daily will sense it. No one benefits.
So I CHOOSE to be happy.
It’s not always easy.
But I find it’s much easier to be happy when I prioritize my values, live by them, and maintain my spine.
That’s one reason why I always sign off from my podcast with the words, “Be brave, and do good.”
When I was at a restaurant in New York after taping “Gutfled!” I discovered this saying on the back page of the menu, and as you might imagine, I smiled:
I’m really enjoying your podcasts. Thank you for talking about the Great Unmentionable, Covid “vaccine” injury. Despite what the CDC and the medical establishment claim, it is real and it affects many people. I appreciate your getting the word out and keeping this story alive.
Thanks Michele - add one more to your list - Faith.
Faith adds to hope & all the others on your list.
Keep on keeping on!