Dear World

Don't know who might be following this blog anymore, but I have to get this off my chest.

If you are interested, go back in time with me to read about my experience in Japan. It was wonderful. I made some lovely heart-felt friendships with people from all over the world. Thanks to Facebook, I am still in touch with many of these people. They are in China, Hong Kong, Australia, Great Britain, and Japan. I think the fact that I lived overseas for a short time has compelled me to write the following letter. I feel the eyes of the world on us. Perhaps those insulated from an awareness of other people and cultures- (MANY AMERICANS) don't feel this like I do, but I feel that a few very ugly people are giving Americans a bad name around the globe.

Maybe I'll start blogging more. There are certainly things going on these days.

Here's the letter:

Dear World,
I feel compelled, as an American Citizen, to write you a letter to clarify a few things. I know you are watching us right now with a mixture of amusement and horror. You wonder, how the American government, so famously founded on the principals of “For the people, by the people,” has
turned into a corrupt machine, filled to the hilt with crazy, science-denying, xenophobic, bigoted, vulgar, and obstructionist clown-men and women who seem blinded and misguided by partisan politics. They are the wrong people in power, if you ask me.

Well, if you are not wondering this, I sure am. I would like to assure you that the people you see in the media do not represent most of us. My friends and the people in circles in which I move are, for the most part, well-educated, gentle, thoughtful and kind. We don't boo each other, or push and shove in public places. We are not braggarts, we don't go around chanting “We're Number One!” all the time. We care deeply about the environment, we volunteer, we give to charities, we work for the good of the community. We are troubled by the plight of the refugees in Europe. I am heart-broken by the stories of loss and hardship, and the worsening crisis due to the ravages of war, and drought.

I personally am anti-gun. I would bet that most of my friends do not own hand guns. We see no need to. I have friends who are avid hunters, and they are just as appalled as I at the dangerous culture of gun violence and the lack of motivation on the part of our legislators to do anything about it.

We, like you, believe in the things that matter; the safety and health of our families, our friends, and our communities. We want justice and fairness for all peoples of the world. We believe love is stronger than hate.

There is a disgust and anxiety over the goings-on in the GOP Presidential campaign that my friends and I share. Personally, I am embarrassed and mortified that this immature, poisonous, and dangerous hate-fest is being performed on the world's stage. We are all not like this, I promise.

Just thought you ought to know.

Sincerely,

Alice Ploss, American Citizen