The gun debate ended with Sandy Hook. When 6 year old children were massacred in their school and our leaders did nothing, the gun debate ended. When 6 year old children were massacred in their school by a young man with multiple mental health diagnoses and access to a Bushmaster rifle and our citizens cited the Second Amendment, the gun debate ended.
To the collective entity that I will call Foxangelical Trumporist, I say, "you are right about everything." I grow tired of arguing with you. I realize that you will see us all burn, bleed and explode rather than even discuss a rational way forward.
I am disengaging, but I am NOT leaving. I will teach my children to be optimistic, patient and compassionate. I will encourage them to learn languages and travel the world. I will instill values of adventure and beneficence and recommend that they shun security and stability. I will take them to Church and pray for my family, friends and those who would call us their enemies. I will remind them every single day that this is their country too.
And I will do whatever I can in my small practice to bring good health to anyone who comes through my door. On a daily basis, I will try to be a good person and not be a shithead. I will not acquiesce to cynicism, racism, and fascism. If darkness overtakes the great national debate, then a little light will shine at each small point of human contact.