top of page
Lizbeth Estes

Patriotism Over Party


“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.” Proverbs 15: 1 - 4


Our national obsession with words that hurt, denigrate, insult and divide reveals the true nature of those who disseminate them. But if these tactics didn’t work, politicians would stop using them. Every time you repost, share, or spend time with some ugly story, tweet, or meme, you encourage those who started it.


Political attacks work. If they didn’t, no one would be using them. That said, political disinformation insults us as Americans — it plays on our hopes and dreams, it exploits our fears and weaknesses. It contradicts values we all live by: we help our neighbors, we support those who are in trouble, we want a better world for our children. Americans are generous, warm-hearted, and brave. Right now we are filling trucks with materials to send to those whose homes were lost and lives changed forever by monster hurricanes.


Disinformation is the deliberate misuse of informational platforms, spreading falsehoods to innocent followers – simply to politically harm a political opponent. But disinformation causes real harm. People who lost everything are being told lies about FEMA and other agencies set in place to help them. The money FEMA relies on are in an entirely different pocket from the funds set aside to aid immigrants. Disinformation about the two not only harms hurricane victims, it also harms refugees and legal immigrants. Disinformation about immigrants not only tarnished our reputation in the world, it also leads Americans to behave contrary to their own values and beliefs. The American dream has always been available, not just for white descendants of the Mayflower – but for the “tired, hungry, poor…yearning to be free.” The Haitian migrants in small town Ohio are there legally, work hard, are good neighbors… who have been maligned and harmed by disinformation. Here in Michigan, immigrants have been good citizens, starting small businesses, working hard and paying taxes. Seasonal workers make farming possible. Our children go to school with them, our neighborhoods welcome them; they are friends and neighbors who would help you carry your groceries to the car, shovel your driveway, stop to help change a tire.


Yet disinformation inflames old fears… and makes us less than our better natures if we listen to it. Political disinformation is not new. Lincoln’s detractors called him a buffoon and a monkey. Thank goodness we rose above that as a nation in a time of great peril. We are now living in a time of similar peril, and it is terribly important for us to rise above the fear and anger; to rise above political party and vote as patriots who reject the purveyors of disinformation.


Or let’s look at it on a personal level. Would you welcome a liar to your Thanksgiving dinner; not just a liar but a blow-hard nearing senility who talks louder than anyone else at the table, and who hates women, Blacks, transgender people, immigrants… the list goes on. Would you want this man influencing your children, teaching them to hate? He probably wouldn’t want to sit with you anyhow – unless you have gold table service.


Many well-known Republicans have publicly rejected their party’s candidate. They see him for what he is — a potential dictator who will not only destroy our democracy, but will likely drag the world into conflict. Once you see him for what he is, it’s important you vote against him rather than choose a third party (essentially voting for him) and rather than sit this one out. Vote like your country depends on it.


— Sharon Kourous is a member of Stronger Together Huddle, a group engaged in supporting and promoting the common good of all. She is a former teacher and resides in Monroe. She can be reached at mcneil102@icloud.com.



2 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page