2017: Tough Freedom

Jonathan Paine

Happy New Year!

Just a quick recap of some of the major happenings from 2017:

-Trump’s inauguration

–Comey’s firing

–Gorsuch nomination & confirmation

–Paris Climate Accords

–The Russia problem

–Obamacare repeal (or not)

–Hurricanes (climate change?)

–Nazis & ANTIFA protests

–Corrupt, immoral politicians

–Gun violence

–Sexual abuse scandals

–Domestic terrorism

-The end of Net Neutrality

-Trump’s plan to move US Embassy to Jerusalem

Now you may at first think the only thing they all have in common is that they all took place in 2017. But you would be wrong. The real thing they all have in common is that they were each individually hailed as the end of America, democracy, or even freedom itself depending on who you talked to.

If I’ve learned anything from 2017, it’s that American freedom is a bit tougher than people give it credit.

Looking Forward

Looking back on 2017 should teaches us a few key lessons that we would be smart to carry on into 2018 and apply faithfully.

Morality Matters

Christmas seemed to cause a break in the nearly ceaseless accusations of sexual misconduct against one leader/celebrity or another. We’ve seen the damage that mere accusations can cause in someone’s life. We’ve seen how accusations can completely destroy someone’s ability to make things happen.

When you lose credibility, when your consistency is questioned, your effectiveness is destroyed.

If you want to make a difference, then this is a lesson you must take to heart. Your personal morality matters. A lot. As we dive into 2018, let’s all take a moment and assess ourselves. We’ll all be better off for it.

Freedom Is Tough

America has existed for over 240 years. However, the concept, the creed, that is America has been around for a lot longer than that. The ideas that all of us are created equal, that God has given us inalienable rights, that government should exist to protect those rights, these ideas that are the basis of our American freedom, have been around for a long time.

And it’s going to take a bit more than pulling out of some climate agreement to make them go away. So don’t freak out at every overly-hyped mainstream media created tragedy.

Because America is not a country. It is not some land. It’s not even a people. America is an idea. An immortal idea that we hold in our hearts, and manifest through our actions.

We live in a land, full of people who (mostly) adhere to the idea of America. As long as these people remain a majority, freedom in this land will endure.

There’s Hope

I mean seriously, we survived 2017.

@painefultruth76