Take the first Avengers movie for example. This is the first in a series of Marvel movies where the superheroes come together as a team in order to fight villains who are out to destroy humanity as we know it in one form or another. I was bothered by the scenes where the superheroes let their egos get in the way of seeing the bigger picture and doing their job, protecting those who they serve. In a similar situation, I am struggling to watch our elected officials allowing their egos to get in the way of doing their jobs, representing all who they govern and not just the ones who contribute large amounts of money to their campaigns.
I have not seen many of the latest Avengers movies because of the aggravation they would cause me. And don't even get me started on Superman vs. Batman or Avengers Civil War. Why go to the movies where I am supposed to be entertained and instead leave with a feeling of doom and malaise? I do know the basic plot line of the Avengers - Infinity War and actually attempted to watch it even though my daughter and many others told me not to do it. "Thanos, a despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment - the fate of the Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain." ~Marvel Studios.
While our President Trump may not be a super-villain who, with the snap of his fingers, can snuff out half of civilization, we must remember the following:
~He wouldn't say that Nazis and white-supremacist behavior is bad.
~He controls nuclear weapons with immense destructive powers.
~He is spearheading legislation that supports the elimination of government programs that help large groups of our population in favor of tax cuts for corporations and the upper 1% of the citizens of the US.
~He has appointed a Supreme Court Justice who seems to support giving MORE power the Executive Branch, shielding it from repercussions from abuse of that power.
~He praises a congressman who body slammed a journalist, mocked a sexual assault survivor in public and calls the Free Press an enemy of the people.
~He won't denounce a government that allegedly and brutally murdered a Washington Post journalist and American resident.
~There are children separated from their families seeking refuge in the US now in cages. In the desert. Children in cages.
History will judge his impact on America and the world and I suspect it will not be good.
So where are our heroes? I don't believe superheroes roam the earth, although it sure would be nice. There are some heroes, I believe, in several walks of life. Some promote civility in everyday life and in politics. We can find them in local governments and in candidates running for office in every state. Since I live in Texas, I find that they take the form of Senate candidate, Beto O'Rourke, who can sometimes be found skateboarding in a Whataburger parking lot late at night. A candidate who has said while discussing kneeling during NFL games, "...reasonable people can disagree on this issue...And it makes them no less American to come down on a different conclusion on the issue." And also said on ABC, This Week, "The kind of bitterness and the name-calling and partisanship that has unfortunately defined so much of the national conversation, you can add more to it or you can stay focused on the future."
Or, a candidate to represent our state in Congress who shows up to a candidate forum in a black skirt and combat boots. MJ Hegar has stated at a Texas Tribune Q&A session, "I'm a huge fan of bipartisanship and working together to get things done. I do think there's a difference, though, between the friendship that belongs on the golf course and fighting for our ideals and values on the battlefield."
Nationally, there are citizens standing up to sexual assault even though it means jeopardizing a peaceful existence. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is one who opened herself up to attacks by members of congress and the general public. Individuals who have never had to live in fear of attacks from the opposite sex.
And then there are Mavericks in Congress who will be missed like John McCain. A hero who stood up for country over party when voting in Congress, voting no for repealing ACA that offered protections to millions. He voted his conscience rather than voting for something just because he was instructed by his party to do so.
Finally in Vermont, two opposing candidates for a place in Congress, Republican Zachary Mayo and Democrat Lucy Rogers take a few moments to sing a duet after a debate to show us civility is possible, and sorely needed.
Closer to home, it is simple and clear to me. Once you are done reading this, go to your hallway, entry way, bathroom or car and look in the mirror. Look closely and realize we have a say in our destinies and our lives by voting. We can be heroes too, simply by exercising our right to vote. A quote from Victor Hugo comes to mind:
"The future has several names.
For the weak, it is impossible.
For the fainthearted, it is unknown.
For the thoughtful and the valiant, it is ideal.
The challenge is urgent, the task is large, the time is now."
Vote.
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