There is no discussion, there is no sharing ideas and thoughtfully evaluating different opinions. What, exactly have we, as a nation, even as a planet, become?

There was a time, not that long ago, where GOP leaders came out against their President, and called for him to leave office due to the evidence, it was not based on party lines it was based on humanity and the willingness to do the right thing. Was it tough? I’m sure it was. Politically dangerous? Most certainly. But it was the thoughtful, correct move to try bring a rapidly dividing nation on the path to some semblance of unity.

Today, there is none of that, there is a quest for power, a need to control, no exchange of ideas, only exchanges of insults. Bodies are strewn about almost daily, much of it preventable. This latest murderer exhibited all the classic signs and they were ignored, yet, at 18, not old enough to buy beer, he was able to buy an assault weapon and devastate families in a small community, as well as many in the nation who simply watched the story unfold.

The reactions have been as suspected…outrage by those who have worked and continue to work to try to fix this. Entrenchment and “thoughts and prayers” from those who see this issue as a unilateral “right”, the same folks who would criminally charge women for making an individual choice will continue to allow, in fact encourage by their inaction, multiple murder scenarios over and over and over.

There are paths to solutions, but when the path is continually blocked, and as Steve Kerr so eloquently stated, we, as a nation, are being held hostage by 50 people…think about that….the entire population of this nation is being “ruled” not by one monarch but by 50 mini monarchs. Oh…and the same people who scream about the constitution seem to be totally willing to ignore the system of “checks and balances” among the branches buy loading the third branch, SCOTUS, with not a balanced group, but with the same power thirsty, life time position mini monarchs.

If even a little balance on both sides is not regained, I’m terribly afraid that my fading years will be spent observing the catastrophic collapse of what once was so ripe with promise.