On Tuesday, November 8, 2022, US voters will be standing on the precipice of a deep political divide. On one side of the divide is the home of greed and its brain-washed surrogates, while the other side is occupied by enlightenment and the fight for liberty. The nation is split near the mid point of this divide with 50 percent on one side, and 50 percent on the other. The choices we make on our ballots will mark the acceptance or the rejection of these two human pursuits. Ironically, the 235 years of our history show us that our ancestors fought for freedom with their blood, sweat, tears, and often with their lives. That heritage could all slip away quietly into the dark chasm of greed. And the course of our history could be locked away for a thousand years or more.

How often have you heard it repeated “We are a nation of laws?” What a convenient slogan, especially when the chasm of greed is the result of laws that favor the few over the many. Today the top 10 percent hold 90 percent of the wealth, while the remaining 90 percent hold but 10 percent of the wealth. This chasm deepens with each new law that favors inheritances and tax favoritism to the few. The remaining must survive with relatively less and less. In terms of dollar amounts, the top 10 percent hold $135 trillion of wealth, while the bottom 90 percent hold but $15 trillion. With or without a vote, in a scant 50 years this chasm is projected to widen by 32 times its present size. The math is simple: 1.072^50 = 32.34, where 7.2 percent is the historical growth rate.

In addition to laws made by legislative puppets to the rich, this mammoth chasm is held together by slogans, labels, and propaganda that appeal to the very ignorant among us. How else could bands of thugs masquerading as patriots convince 150 million residents to join their ideology? History shows us that ignorance and propaganda are the enemies that force squalor upon far too many of those longing to be free to choose.

Yes, the secret to breaking the stranglehold of ignorance and greed over enlightenment and freedom is for voters to act with wisdom and compassion. Going forward, we need to teach our children and large numbers of adults how to think—logically, coherently, wisely, and with caring for each other. It must start at home and progress at every grade level. It will not happen in 10 years, but it could happen in 25 to 50 years.

Some have said that casting a vote is the most cherished of all our freedoms. Do not waste yours on greed and propaganda. We need more freedom and compassion in our lives. Vote wisely and compassionately. That is our only hope today of breaking the stranglehold that ignorance and greed have done to create the chasm that can destroy our nation, our heritage, and our future.