HELLO is about human decency.

 “what the fuck is wrong with Americans who aren’t on board with free healthcare.  I’m Canadian and I don’t care that I pay extra taxes so a little boy in Alberta can have open heart surgery, or an elderly man in Nova Scotia can get the heart medication he desperately needs.  It’s called taking care of your people.  I’m glad I pay so that people can have a good quality of life.  It’s called being a decent fucking human being.”                                                                                    -- natalie-ann (on twitter)

I first saw that tweet right before inauguration day of the current president, for whom almost half of the country voted for knowing that he promised to divest over 18 million people of life saving medical care. . .. It made me wonder how did we get here?  Where has human decency gone?

How did we get to a spot where so many people care so little for their fellow Americans that they would support a political platform withdrawing something as basic as health care from them?  And this didn’t start with this presidential campaign.  The opposition to universal healthcare goes back decades.

But this is not just about politics and medical care – that’s just the issue of the day.  It breaks my heart to witness the callousness with which many Americans regard their fellow citizens.  It’s the exploitative talk shows and reality shows.  Whole websites devoted to people fighting in the street. Neighbors who have lived in close proximity for years and don’t know each other. People passing other people in their daily lives without as much as a little bit of eye contact to acknowledge the shared humanity that there is another human being in their vicinity.

Empathy is missing and without it, this country is dying a slow and painful death.

“We the people” has become “it’s all about me” 

But ... this country was founded on a principle of common care.  The United States government was established to “secure the blessings of liberty for OURselves” not “myself.”  

“provide for the common defense,” has turned into  “every man for himself.” 

This country we share, is for ALL OF US:  

• everyone you pass on the street.  
• that guy who collects your office trash.  
• the homeless lady begging for coins on the median strip.  
• the young man in the sagging jeans on the train.  
• the dude driving a Ferrari in topsiders. 
• the woman wearing yoga pants in Starbucks drinking a venti half-caf skinny latte with foam. 
•  the teen aged girl with the purple hair shaved on one side. 
• the tourist with socks, sandals, and a fanny pack.  
• this middle-aged woman with an afro typing away on her laptop.

All of us matter. 

                    All of us have a voice.  

                                                 All of us are human 

                                                               We are all the same.

Today, take a minute to take in all of who we are as American people and appreciate the humanity in someone with a small hello.  

Bonus points if you add a smile.