Something troubling is going on

Dear Editor,

Maybe it's because I'm getting old, but a lot of what's happening today really troubles me.

Not only are we going through an unending battle for political and economic control of this country, it's being conducted in the form of partisan tirades that seem to me incredibly mean-spirited and irrational. But what troubles me most of all is the fact that a lot of the rhetoric promotes beliefs and values I don't share, and because I don't, define me as immoral.

Real, red-blooded Americans, we are told, believe in God and in the mission God has given this country to lead the world. And real Americans believe in proving our worth by competing to get ahead in an unfettered free-enterprise economy.

But it's a flag-waving message that turns my values upside down. It asks me to venerate religious faith when what I really believe in is skepticism and curiosity. To model patriotism and partisanship when I believe in creative problem solving and cooperation. To work at defeating and destroying evil when I believe in healing and reconciliation. To cultivate an attitude of fearlessness when the little courage I have rests on accepting my vulnerability. To toughen up when I long for gentleness and compassion. To subdue my softer emotions when I want to own them as fully as I can.

I wonder. Am I going senile? Crazy? Or actually managing to hang on somehow to a few precious strands of sanity?

Fritz Williams

Palmerton