Thread by @djrothkopf

Yes, of course, be heartbroken. But then ask what you are going to do protect children in the future.
By all means, be angry. But then calculate how much time, money, effort you can give to vote out the Senators and Congressman whose votes and corruption are killing our children.

Certainly, condemn the corruption. But understand that while the blame for America's gun pathology lies with gun manufacturers, the gun lobby, venal immoral politicians and a sick culture, the only solution involves you doing more than you have ever done.

The death of innocent children in Texas, of good people in a supermarket in Buffalo, of mass murder victims day in and day out, should outrage and disgust you. But emotion is not enough. Finger pointing is pointless. Recognize that your inaction is the NRA's best ally.

Rail against what Ame has become, at the corruption and immorality and cynicism and ignorance and hypocrisy aed that are perverting our society. But then understand we who oppose these forces are in the majority and we can win, we can save the country, if we act togethe

Add gun violence to the list of threats and ills we face. To the attacks on democracy, on our rights, on women, on people of color...to the growing inequality, to the failures to recognize healthcare is a right, that we must protect our planet.

But then accept that being too overwhelmed to act, to organize, to donate, to vote is to consign your children, family, friends, neighbors to live in a dying America. Yes, there are very bad people doing very bad things that are hurting this country.

But the responsibility to save the US...in fact, the only chance to reverse the decline and restore hope...lies with each of us. If we do not do rise up, if we do not accept responsibility, if we do not succeed, we will lose forever what we valued most about America.

Yes, yes, by all means, acknowledge America never lived up to its hype, its promise, its ideals. But understand those were never guaranteed to us. It has been clear since the first day the first America thought of, fought for, a better life that that fight could never end.

By all means wonder where the leaders have gone, why there seem to be so few great women and men in the positions we need them, why malignant, despicable characters seem to have proliferated in positions of power.

But then, once and for all, realize that making this country was not someone else's job, responsibility or duty. It is not something that happens in Washington or state capitols. It is not the work of political parties or churches or the media.

It is entirely up to each of us. We must each step up. We must each do more than we have ever done if we want a result different from that with which we have seen over the past few years. We must find the time and motivation. We must because we are all vital to this effort.

But take comfort from the fact that while we all have a crucial role to play...beginning right now, beginning this year, beginning with November's elections, beginning in your towns and cities, on your streets and in your schools...that you do not have to act alone.

Your view, the desire to save America, the desire for sane gun laws, better healthcare, protecting the environment, more equitable taxes, more and better jobs, greater investment in education..all the things you hope for are actually the goals of the vast majority in the country.

The solution is right there, can be near, can be sweeping, can restore a broken country, can make life better for those you most care about. It just requires that we act together, work harder, recognize the stakes, and rise to the moment.

Not if. When. Not tomorrow. Now.

(And again, forgive the typos. My impulse to capture what I'm feeling in a moment like this is greater than the ability of my fingers to handle it on a keyboard at this hour of the morning.)