By Susan Mah, LCSW

Guest Columnist

 

In the last few weeks, there have been Americans on both sides expressing their opposition about billionaires taking over our government. 

In town hall meetings across the country, concerned citizens have voiced their dissatisfaction with recent events, like Elon Musk (who is neither an American nor an elected official) having access to our private data at the Treasury Department and planning changes to Social Security and Medicare as we know it. 

Our American way of life is under siege. 

If there’s anything this last Presidential election has taught me, it’s that what we have been doing for the last several decades is not working. 

Albert Einstein once said, “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is a form of insanity.” While we — Republicans and Democrats — have distracted ourselves with identity politics and culture wars, the billionaires in power (the 1%) have been waging a class war against us (the 99%). 

Regular, everyday Americans are losing in more ways than one while the ultra-rich are robbing us blind.

According to a recent Gallup poll, 61% of Americans are dissatisfied with the way democracy is working in the United States, and I certainly count myself as one of them. 

Why the dissatisfaction? It’s because politicians on both sides are bought and paid for by lobbyists, political action committees (PACs), and billionaires. We, the people, are no longer represented and are getting shafted by corporations and their special interests. 

The American dream is further away from young people than it ever has been as our government is being run by the highest bidder.

The collective American dream involves our families, our neighbors, our communities, our jobs, our careers, and our hopes for the future. And although independence is essential for freedom, feeling connected to a larger whole is essential for wellbeing. 

As a licensed therapist, I often tell my patients, we cannot heal in isolation. That’s why Jesus said, “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and “Love your enemies.” We are stronger together.

One of the things I love so much about living in Oxford is the relationships I have with my neighbors — both Democrats and Republicans. 

We do not judge each other through a red lens or a blue lens; we simply see each other as human beings who love the same, work the same, and want the same things out of life — happiness, success, and peace of mind. We help each other, when needed, and regularly get together for fellowship and fun.

Last week I went to the International Women’s Day March on the Square at City Hall where there was a small gathering of citizens worried about our government. 

As a concerned American, I wanted to be there. But as an Oxfordian who wants to get along with others and move towards a future of working together both locally and nationally, I left the event early because what I heard was more of the same: red vs. blue, left vs. right. 

Same song; different tune. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. 

Tired of both parties? Join the movement at www.votelabor.org.