What really does matter?

 

It has been so difficult not to spend endless hours bemoaning the current state of politics and society in the US.
As the Talking Heads said, "This ain't my beautiful house ..." How prophetic. Certainly, America is rapidly a palcethat is no longer beautiful, not the physical beauty, but rather a creeping ugliness in society, tearing at the seams and ready to burst.
This is a far cry from Leave It To Beaver and Happy Days. To be sure, those days were far from perfect for many in our nation. POC, LGBQT, the disabled, those with special needs, women, and others did not lead perfectly happy lives. Changes were made, there was, at least on the books, progressive legislation that sought to improve the well-being of most.
Festering between the pages of civil rights was a mold. One kept in check by a nation that elected officials who, even in the worst of cases, upheld the rules and laws of the land. The tide came in and out but the beaches were generally safe for most.
Now, we're being hit by a rogue wave that's feeding that mold and allowing it to spead everywhere.
Most of what we see and hear is beyond belief. This can't be happening, and yet it is. Forget the whys and hows, there are way too many theories to analyze and even if we settled on answers, it won't stop the spread of the social/political pandemic. There is only one immediate fix, the research can come later, this disease needs a hit of humanitarian vaccine, otherwise known as votes. After that, then the underlying problems can be addressed. But all the shouting and anger and head banging and depression will solve nothing.
So my question to you is, What really does matter?
An end to violence?
Helping the sick and elderly?
Quality education?
A safe and thriving environment?
Meaningful and enjoyable jobs?
The right to live as you desire, believe as you will, as long as it harms no other?
Fair treatment for all?
Free and open elections?
The right to get ahead but not on the backs of others?
The right to know?
Freedom from lies, deceit, and tyranny?
A world at peace?
Help when events beyond your control give you setbacks?
A safe environment free of fear?
A willingness to assist others escaping tryanny?
Equity in all matters?
A fair chance to be what you want, do what you want, live how you want, again, as long as it harms none?
I think you get the gist.
But really, this shit has got to stop. If not, the world as we have known it will surely end. The prophecies fulfilled, the end of times, all without a rapture, just one big rupture.