Our National Nightmare
by Elouise
Burning with contempt
We peer into the mirror
of our discontent
strutting proudly
through our dens
down hallways
of our disbelieving minds
Deliriously happy
to be Great Again
Or
Deliriously happy
we are Not Like That
There, but for the grace of God, go I?
Really, my heart?
This moment is full of danger and opportunity. The opportunity to work on our national homework—long overdue.
Perhaps it’s too late for some. It’s never too late for our surviving children and the surviving children of this world.
Is this a nightmare from which we’ll one day wake? Or is it the nightmare that will take all of us down—together yet divided.
Every time national events cause deep revulsion or fear in me, I know it’s time to take stock. What is this national nightmare trying to say to me right now?
It doesn’t matter which issue we’re dealing with. White supremacy, human trafficking, pornography, sexual abuse and predators, political gridlock, opioid epidemic, mass killings, racial profiling, homegrown terrorism, corporate greed, broken promises, or a hundred other issues. Plus a steady dose of twitter-like hyper-inattention.
It’s all part of our National Nightmare, not new, yet starkly in focus and fed by Mr. Trump’s persona and ubiquitous presence in our media.
No one can deal with everything. So I’ve chosen a few things to explore between now and Christmas. Things with which I’ve had close encounters of the uncomfortable sort, each of which boils down to one very large issue: Abuse of Power.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for caring and doing what you can to level the imbalance of power around you. Right in your own backyard.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 10 November 2017
Daily Prompt: Strut
Telling the Truth 
It sounds to me as if a little old Grannie has thrown off her knitted shawl and picked up a hammer and Sword. More Power to your hand.
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That’s quite an image, John! Thank you kindly…:)
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America has never been able to achieve the respect, and admiration, that it has so fervently craved, from the rest of the world. I don’t believe it ever will.
I sincerely believe it missed it’s opportunity, long, long ago; and it’s an opportunity that comes but once.
Respect and admiration, grudgingly given, or otherwise, must be earned. The US seems to have demanded it, as it’s right, and therefore will never gain it.
What the future holds is a matter for conjecture, I had thought many years ago that one day, this country Australia, with it’s culture based primarily on the basis of “a fair go” would stride the world as it’s natural leader; but no longer do I feel that.
The world has been taken over by faces, and minds, we can never, and will never see. Their hands hold all of the money, and that is what will control the world.
I fear for my grandchildren and theirs; should they ever be fortunate enough to get that far.
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I don’t see how any country can expect to gain respect from the rest of the world when its own citizens don’t respect each other. Respect must be earned internally and externally. It can’t be demanded and it can’t be bought. And it has to begin at home. We have a huge pile of homework to do. Not for the sake of the past, but for the futures of our children and grandchildren. We may not make it as a country, but we can have an impact within our spheres of influence. No matter who is behind the scenes holding the money. Thanks for your comment, Brian.
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I rather like Americans on the whole, as do most Australians of Anglo heritage, I’m not so sure about some of the other settlers. The Italians and Irish are no doubt with me on this.
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Thank you for your post. It is comforting to me to know insiders like you are worried about what’s going on in your country. I have been disappointed and worried but when I read a post like this I feel comforted that all is not lost. Thank God.
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Thanks for your kind comment! It’s encouraging to hear what you have to say. We can’t change the election, but I do believe we need to look into our hearts. If for no other reason than to be engaged and ready for whatever is coming next. From my perspective, knowing what it means to be a follower of Jesus at such a time as this is crucial–no matter which party we favor. Our first allegiance as Christian citizens is not to a party or president, but to Jesus Christ as his sometimes lost followers. Please pray for us.
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I will pray for you Elouise. Let your people know that the rest of the world is looking up to you for the best standards in every facet of life. Our disappointment can be profound if we find that the great people we are looking up to for leadership are falling headlong into low standards. I am a journalist and often quoted your country as ideal. How can I continue to do so if things happen as we all see. For sure you are no angels but don’t depart too far. That is why I am comforted when I get a voice like your own.
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Thank you for your prayers for us. No country is perfect. Nonetheless, we seem to be headed in a downward spiral just now. It helps if I think of us as adolescents trying to figure out just who we are and want to become. Unfortunately, adolescence isn’t a very stable or self-reflective stage of life. Nor will it be easy to know when we’ve gone ‘too far’ — if we haven’t already done that. We’re somewhat isolated from other nations, and very spread out geographically. This also contributes to the challenges of governing and of significant majority-world experience overseas or across borders. I’m encouraged by low-profile yet significant efforts here and there to live a different narrative within our own country and in outreach programs to other countries. The kind of efforts that don’t make the headlines, but show the resolve of individual US citizens to make a difference for good–especially in partnerships with other countries, despite chaos and uncertainty here and there.
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Americans are truly doing great. Just that high standards had been set by those who went before and the world has very high expectations. You are more loved in the world than you may imagine. You are also doing a lot of good in the world. Those who don’t love America are less than those who do. Only the haters are more vocal. Evil is often stronger in a destructive way than good. Keep doing your best and vote for leaders who will uphold American ideals which are universal ideals.
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One of the greatest lies ever told in my humble opinion by satan was that we need to be a a strong advocate for the problems of the world politics . I will take becoming like Jesus any day. When we do that and model that then the world around us will change. Folks make choices. Its their choice. Present them with the gospel,live the gospel and we have done all that is required of us. Certainly we should vote and be pro active in our civil affairs. Just not to the point we become what the world around us is. We are to LIVE Jesus and be encouragers in a broken world,offering peace joy and mercy for those that satan has deceived.
Much Love Tom
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Yes! It seems many people divorce Christian faith from politics. Often, in my experience, it’s because they’ve never been shown how to be faithful followers of Jesus in ways that address issues affecting all of us. It isn’t one or the other. If we follow Jesus faithfully, we will always be at odds with many people–and we’ll also be living the Gospel, not taking or putting people down with contempt. Being faithful encouragers in a broken world, beginning with our own personal broken worlds, is a high and costly calling–not to be undertaken lightly.
I’m so glad to see your comment, Tom. Thank you!
Love and prayers for a good Sabbath rest,
Elouise
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Words from Oscar Wilde: “America is the only nation to go from barbarism to hedonism with no civilisation in between.”
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When I look at the lengthy histories of other countries, we’re but a blip in time. I’m reminded sometimes of adolescence….even though we contain within our borders many wise, mature and civilized individuals. Thanks for the quote.
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Right on, Elouise! And also to all the encouraging comments.
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Thank you, Waldo. Who would have guessed we would be in this situation today.
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