“There’s nothing to fear but fear itself”

Optimism is good if it is realistic. Pessimism is good if it’s realistic. What is realistic? What is the most terrible thing wrong with the world or even us as individuals?
Opinions! Everybody has one and usually think they are right. In history it has been common for even a majority opinion to prove disastrous.
Why don’t we just all get along and be nice to each other? Opinions! Many dictators haves tried outlawing opinions with disastrous results.
Respecting other opinions must then be the answer. The problem is we don’t agree on what opinions deserve respect and those that do not.
Will everyone just ‘see the light’ someday by divine intervention and agree on everything. Some will say Jesus will return and then everyone will agree, except those who don’t and then look out! Some will say people are learning through trial and error and evolution has improved human behavior a lot since the ‘dark ages’.
Some believe we are heading for a one world government and think that is a good thing or even a horrible thing.
Even a bigger problem than differing opinions might be that we tend to stress out over them.
What is the biggest fear that people have? Is it death of a loved one or ourselves? Disease? Incapacitating injury? Poverty? Famine? The UN? China calls our loans and makes us all slaves? Invasion from Mars?
During his inaugural speech Franklin D. Roosevelt said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” The United States was facing one of the worst economic crises in history and FDR was trying his best to keep the country from erupting in panic.
These words ring true now as much or even more than ever. Fear creates rumors, lies, panic, confusion, and often flat wrong premature or even indecisive action with disastrous results.
My suggestion to our leaders or realistically to the one or two people who read this is to stay calm, promote calm, and instead of using divisive language to promote an agenda they should instead say that they are vigilantly working on a solution or a compromise. They do not need to listen to the naysayers but instead need to lead by example and goodwill. Even when our political parties are deadlocked on what are deemed to be critical issues, instead of insults and rhetoric we should be hearing that a solution will be achieved and in the name of freedom ‘consensus’ will prevail. We do not all need to agree but it is in everyone’s best interest that we can reach a consensus within the guidelines of our constitution. Yes, they even fight over the constitution! Again, what is needed is cooperation to achieve calm even if there is disagreement instead of backbiting slander and lies to promote fear.
Glad I could clear all that up!