Opinion: A Profound Choice

Love, Justice and Climate Change

You probably don’t need me to tell you that things are bad in the United States right now. I do want to add, however, that in my view, and in the views of others, the last few weeks have not just been more of the same. Instead, we have seen a shocking increase in cruelty, corruption, and undermining of the rule of law by the Trump/MAGA regime.

From Trump accepting illegal gifts from foreign nations and crypto investors, to forbidding Harvard University to have students from other countries; from mass deportations of immigrants of color without due process, to further expanding the unconstitutional weaponization of the Department of Justice to hound those Trump dislikes, it has been horrific.

Worst of all, the MAGA Republicans in the House rushed through a comprehensive bill that, if approved by the Senate, will cut taxes for the wealthy, eliminate healthcare for millions, cut food benefits for the hungry, and continue dismantling services that people depend on for health and safety. The climate cuts were even worse than expected, with all renewable energy incentives completely removed.

Shockingly, the bill also undermines the power of the courts by removing their power to hold officials in contempt for disregarding court orders. As Robert Reich reports, the bill “would, if enacted, be the largest redistribution of income and wealth in American history — from the poor and working class to the rich and super-rich.”

We Will Not Submit
Reich also says what I believe to be true: “Resistance is more important than ever.… Tyrants cannot succeed where people refuse to submit to them. We will not submit.”

The polls show that a majority of the country disapproves of Trump. I hope you will join in one of the protests on June 14 when Trump plans to hold a huge military parade for his birthday. Our protests on that day will help tell the world (and each other) that we have a different vision for our country.

Surgeon General’s “My Parting Prescription for America”
Our vision can be informed by “My Parting Prescription for America,” a remarkable document written by the then Surgeon General of the United States, Vivek Murthy, before he left office in January.

Murthy describes talking with thousands of people all across the country during his two terms as Surgeon General. He found that people everywhere say they feel that something is missing in their lives. Even many who are successful in all the traditional ways lack a sense of fulfillment. The obvious question is, “What’s missing?”

What’s Missing is Community
He writes, “Through my work over two terms as Surgeon General, I saw that the answer to “What’s missing?” is simple, yet profound: community.”

“With every conversation, I saw the stakes more clearly: the fracturing of community in America is driving a deeper spiritual crisis that threatens our fundamental well-being. It is fueling not only illness and despair on an individual level, but also pessimism and distrust across society which have all made it painfully difficult to rise together in response to common challenges.”

He then identifies 3 core elements: relationships, service, and purpose, and one core virtue: love, that make community possible. Together, these give us meaning and belonging.

Relationships
The relationships he’s talking about are those with friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and others. He writes, “Healthy relationships, where we feel seen and where we can be ourselves, can be a powerful source of joy and support and can be buffers to stress. “

“Building our relationships with one another requires the commitment to make social connection a priority and the courage to be vulnerable and real with each other. It requires expanding our circle of concern to people who may differ in background and beliefs “

Service
By service, he means actions we take that benefit others. It could be volunteering for an organization or a small act of kindness toward an acquaintance or a stranger.

Purpose
“Purpose is the feeling of having an overarching life aim that guides and prioritizes our decisions and actions. It’s not “what” we do. It’s “why” we do it. It’s not our goals or achievements, but our reasons for them.”

Love
The doctor says, in order to build community, we must approach our relationships, service, and purpose with love. ” Love not as sentimentality, but as a commanding force with the power to build, strengthen, and heal. Love as generosity and kindness. Love as hope and grace. Love as courage. “

Murthy wrote this before the Trump debacle was fully underway. I believe the need for his prescription is even greater now than when he wrote it. He reports that all across the country he found individual, groups, and organizations engaged in creating community. His purpose in writing is clearly to engage us more fully in choosing community.

“Today, we are faced with a profound choice. Do we continue with the status quo, marked by pain, disconnection, and division? Or do we choose a different path—one of joy, health, and fulfillment where we turn toward each other instead of away from each other, where we choose love over fear, where we recognize community as the irreplaceable foundation for our well-being?” – Dr. Vivek Murthy, former Surgeon-General of the United States

Choose Community
Murthy goes on to say, “In our own ways, we all have the power to choose community. Each time we do, we are doing our part to pave the road to fulfillment for ourselves and others…. As I finish my tenure as Surgeon General, this is my parting prescription, my final wish for all of us: Choose community. “

“Let us never forget that good people with hearts full of love can change the world.”

Russ Vernon-Jones was principal of Fort River School 1990-2008 and is currently a member of the Steering Committee of Climate Action Now-Western Massachusetts. He blogs regularly on climate justice at www.russvernonjones.org.