Please know that I purposely shy away from partisan wrangling, choosing instead to celebrate the human spirit and its boundless capacity for goodness. That same spirit animates the thirty-three essays in my new book, Reflections of the Heart, now available online.



Yet even a heart inclined to seeing the good cannot ignore the tremors in Washington, DC. Since January 2025 the current administration has introduced initiatives with such velocity that they have overwhelmed the time-honored rhythm of bipartisan review and debate. This torrent of change skirts the very guardrails designed to preserve both historic democratic deliberation and the purposeful balance of powers.

Rather than despair, this is the time for all Americans, no matter one’s political persuasion, to re-awaken our civic soul for the common good.

A Nation Stirring

Across the country a deeper engagement is rising—more than protest or partisan uproar, it is the heartfelt insistence that governance remain a partnership between leaders and its citizens. America’s standing as “leader of the free world” is now being challenged! Other nations are cautiously opposing US bullying and intimidation. Citizens from every walk of life are lifting their voices, urging government to rediscover its time-honored moral compass.

Thomas Jefferson reminded us, “The care of human life and happiness … is the only legitimate object of good government.” Public gatherings and spirited dialogue, though signs of disapproval, reveal democracy’s resilience, not its collapse, proving that freedom thrives in the chorus of engaged citizens who refuse to settle for anything less than principled leadership.

The Moral North Star

At the center of this renewed engagement lies an unchanging truth: every person is endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government is the trustee of those rights, never their owner. When policy making outruns deliberation—or devolves into narrow self-interest—citizens are called to speak, not in anger, but with steady conviction.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. assured us, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

President Barack Obama cautioned, “A government that cannot trust its citizens to make their own choices cannot itself be trusted.”

History shows the road to justice is seldom smooth, yet always worth taking. Our era is distinguished by an abundance of technological tools—digital platforms, community networks, instantaneous communication—that allow constructive voices to be heard without rancor.

Leadership as Service

Ethical leadership is not perfection; it is principled stewardship. Power held transparently and humbly nourishes trust and elevates the human spirit. Charters such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights remind us that dignity is a birthright, not a privilege.

When any administration blatantly exhibits autocracy, time-proven democratic statesmanship resolutely responds with inclusivity —listening to historical voices, weaving unity from diversity. When policy is shaped by the wisdom of many, governance becomes an act of healing. Participation ceases to be merely a right; it becomes a sacred responsibility.

Stewardship of Our Common Home

In an age of ecological fragility, principled governance must reach beyond humanity. Earth-centered jurisprudence urges us to treat the planet not as property but as a living trust—bestowed by God, entrusted to us for future generations. Environmental stewardship is not merely green policy; it is love in legislative form.

Answering the Call

Yes, our system of governance is being uncharacteristically challenged. The glare of world attention is bright. The very foundation of our nation’s leadership role is suddenly on the block. But this is no time for despair—or for incendiary rhetoric that deepens divides. It is a moment for a renaissance of governance grounded in:

•   justice for all,

•   service over self-interest, and

•   freedom paired with responsibility.

Plato warned, “The price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” Let us therefore lead with wisdom and courage, trusting in the essential goodness of every person—including those seeking refuge on our shores.

By holding firm to our values, speaking with grace and conviction, and demanding truth and integrity from those in power! By re-awakening our civic soul, we can help America regain her footing and reclaim and model a democracy that uplifts rather than oppresses.

A democracy that does the right things, the right way, for the right reasons. Where justice is prompt, dignity non-negotiable, and leadership synonymous with service. This is the calling of our time. We respond not as rabble-rousers, but as stewards of democracy’s enduring promise.

Michelle Obama’s counsel still guides us: “When they go low, we go high.”

Now is the time to resolutely re-awaken our American civic soul, and do so by going high!