Push past the now

We Americans began this experiment called democracy as abused children from parent countries in Europe. We wayward children wanted basic human rights. But abused children act out.

At the height of slavery five percent of Southerners owned slaves. Acceptance by the rest fueled our early economy. A huge chasm between ruling class and poor was the norm. We trampled Native American society. The movement to form unions was met with billy clubs and bullets. Women couldn’t vote. African-Americans, freed from slavery, were far from free.

Today the discrepancy between rich and poor, CEO and worker is huge and growing. Many of us bemoan what is lost as the middle class shrinks.

Trumpian America is fueled by anger at an African-American president and income inequality. Less-educated whites are sold a vision of race and gender warfare, guns rights, and a return to the good old days.

Underserved masses are not new phenomena. It’s time for a second American Revolution. The majority of Americans need to organize and push beyond the current debacle with a vision of racial, gender and economic equality. Don’t look back.

Harvey Schwartz

Bellingham, Wash.