Be warned. Be wary. We may live in a monosyllabic, singular, olive drab country soon. Although this may be similar to the “ditto-head” culture popular with so many Limbaugh-ites, it happens to frighten me. And, it may happen in the not-so-distant future. Our glorious comander-in-chief has replaced the leaders of the US Commission of Civil Rights with people who agree with him. Two more dissenters from within the Government have been removed and effectively silenced.

Why should we care?

This is a good place for an analogy. Let’s say that you are hungry and do not feel inclined to cook this evening. When selecting the restaurant you will patronize, you may consider a restaurant that serves Chinese food, or Mexican food. You may consider a drive-through, or a sit-down meal. You may consider how much money you have in your wallet. The point is–you have options.

Right now, in our very own government, our leaders are removing politicians and employees that appear to be voices of dissent. The executive branch is systematically eliminating program directors, scientists and experts from our government. And, this current story of the US Commission of Civil Rights is just another very poignant example.

let’s go back to our dining analogy. You are looking for a place to eat. This time, however, you have a new constraint. There are now no longer any Chinese restaurants. They were banned because the government does not like some of the ingredients. So, they passed a law, or changed the Constitution, or said that the sale of Chinese food was affecting Interstate Commerce, or something. But, you can’t go anymore. Restaurants can’t serve the stuff, and you can’t buy it.

The truth was that someone in the Administration felt that Chinese food was terrible for you. Or, someone from the Organization of Chinese Restaurant Owners angered a politician at a dinner party. Or, even worse, it could be retribution because many Chinese people are Buddhist, and unless they become Christian and accept the Lord, Jesus Christ, as their savior, they really don’t HAVE a place in our country! They belong in China with the other heathens of the world. Right?

Here’s were the analogy ends, and you have to step up and step in. Dissention is crucial to the world. When people disagree with you, it tests your arguments and ultimately makes them richer. You have to incorporate more diverse ideas into what you do or say. It may lead to more research, and it may lead you to change your opinion. The argument may also expose just how right you were. Regardless–the outcome makes you better.

Disagreements create better meetings, work groups, classrooms, products, friendships, news, relationships, policies, and yes, even better government. Keep people who disagree with you around–they will teach you things about yourself and your knowledge that you may never discover otherwise.

Ask your Senators and Representatives to encourage diversity in our government. Request or foster State and local diversity. Vote for politicians that you may disagree with, but who will be best for your neghborhood or country. Express your opinions with your loved ones–especially if you disagree.

If you do not bring diversity into our country, then you are to blame when we all have to eat bland, tasteless food, in some olive-drab mess hall catered by Haliburton.