(Photo: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times / January 8, 2011)
Yesterday’s events in Arizona are obviously terrifying, tragic and truly deplorable. Violent actions against those who are bold enough to step out in front of our Nation’s most difficult issues are unbecoming of the American way.
All of our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and our best wishes for a speedy and full recovery are with Congresswoman Giffords.
Our Nation has seen tragedy before and as only Americans can, we overcame. We work together to support one another during trying times through comforting advice and often spiritual guidance seeking the power to mend and heal, ultimately making us stronger as a people and as a country.
We have seen an increase in emotional and passionate rhetoric regarding elected officials and policies at every level of government. Our taxes are too high, our government costs too much and our economy is slow to rebuild. We all know these things to be true and our elected officials are overwhelmingly capable of righting this country and I have tremendous faith in the people that have put them there.
Yesterday’s events have scarred our Nation’s public and has demonstrated the necessity to understand one another and sometimes settle and agree to disagree. Democrats nor Republicans should stand for this and we must do our part to lead this effort by example, not rhetoric.
As young adults we must continue to engage in politics and public governance, undeterred by this instance, remembering that anger and violence are NOT governing strategies. We must understand that rhetoric, as it may often be empty, can spiral out of control as it clearly did in Arizona.
The next generation of leaders must be thoughtful enough to understand that one day soon, we will have the opportunities to lead our communities from coast to coast and we can only succeed as one country based on freedom and liberty.
Sincerely,
President
New York State Young Democrats