I have been planning to write this article for several months. I decided to wait until after the election because I wanted to let people comment and then hold them accountable for their words. I know that saying “I told you so” or “You were wrong” accomplishes nothing and people always use this to attack the messenger so I will not go down that path. While I will not hold them accountable, I do want to clarify some points for readers to consider.
Trump won the election. America is still at a crossroads and we must be vigilant. I cannot stress how vulnerable our Republic and its people will be for the next several months. Which is why we should consider how we express ourselves. We have seen how division is an effective tool to weaken our country, religion, culture and even our homes. I humbly ask that we go back to the one factor that allowed this nation to be established which is public virtue:
From Grok:
Public virtue refers to the set of moral behaviors, attitudes, and qualities that citizens within a society uphold for the common good. Here are some key aspects:
- Civic Responsibility – This involves an individual’s sense of duty towards the community, including actions like voting, paying taxes, and participating in public life.
- Altruism – Acting for the benefit of others or for the community at large rather than for oneself. This might include volunteering, helping neighbors, or contributing to public causes.
- Ethical Conduct – Adhering to principles of honesty, integrity, fairness, and justice in public dealings. This includes not engaging in corruption, bribery, or other forms of misconduct that could harm the public welfare.
- Patriotism – Love for one’s country, which ideally translates into actions that support and enhance the well-being of the nation rather than mere nationalistic fervor.
- Social Harmony – Promoting peace, tolerance, and mutual respect among diverse groups within society. This includes respecting differences and working towards common goals.
- Sacrifice for Common Good – Sometimes, public virtue requires personal sacrifices like giving up time, resources, or personal gain for the greater good of the community or nation.
- Engagement in Public Discourse – Engaging in informed discussions about public issues, listening to different perspectives, and seeking consensus or at least understanding.
Public virtue is often discussed in political philosophy, especially in the context of republicanism, where it’s seen as essential for a self-governing society. It’s the underpinning that supports civic life, ensuring that the collective actions of citizens lead to a just, fair, and flourishing society. Philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and many of the American Founding Fathers emphasized the importance of public virtue for the stability and success of democratic and republican governments.
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Too many comments are based on opinions, scenarios and even misinformation with no basis in facts or even reality. There are also the “hit and run” comments which have no positive purpose. This country has been given an incredible opportunity to restore Liberty, economic prosperity and our religious faith. We should be thankful for the Lord’s blessings and help make the future better with both our words and actions.
I invite everyone to consider their content and motives before they post comments as I have done in the past. I have also decided to bring back the down vote for comments for several reasons. One of these reasons is to give people a sense of how other readers view their opinions. Another is to hold people accountable for their comments in order to reduce the division that some are sowing.
My hope is to provide a means for people to intelligently discuss issues. Sound reasoning and facts should be part of your comments and your life.
David DeGerolamo
