About a week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research was released, offering insights about the direction our country is headed. After the troubling political violence we have witnessed recently, it is not shocking that a majority of those surveyed believe we are in a dire situation. The sample size was relatively small — 1,183 participants — but I think some of their views align with those of many Americans. The primary finding was that those who believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction increased from 62% in June to 75%. This was mainly the perspective of the Republicans sampled. The Democrats in this survey pretty much maintained their view that President Donald Trump is not moving America forward, a stance they have firmly held since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, according to NORC researchers.

It was interesting to examine the responses categorized by age and gender in this short study. For example, Republicans under 45 were more likely to state that "the country is off track," and more young women felt this way than men. What the survey respondents tended to agree on was their frustration with both Republican and Democratic party leaders. These views were fairly even, with 51% having a negative assessment of Republicans and 53% being displeased with Democrats. One quote from a 42-year-old truck driver and father who was interviewed particularly stood out to me because he expressed concern about our growing political divide. "We are ... supposed to be united as a country and coming together. And we are not," he said. "I'm so perplexed how we're not on the same page about anything, so bad that (people) are being shot." Another interviewee, 55, voiced similar worries, stating, "Nobody has respect for anybody anymore. It's sad."

Indeed, it is sad that we have reached a point where compassion and empathy for our fellow Americans are gravely lacking. Partisan affiliations aside, amid the current government shutdown, I have been wondering how many people genuinely care about those who have been furloughed or laid off. The Trump administration recently announced that "substantial" layoffs will begin, affecting federal workers in the departments of Interior, Homeland Security, Treasury, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Health and Human Services, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. Have we thought about the families of these workers and the income and resources they need to survive? Have we prayed for their welfare? Do we care about those affected by the health care debate at the center of the shutdown, working-class Americans who depend on Medicare and Medicaid, and need the services from community health centers that are at risk if Congress does not act? It has been so challenging to get on "the same page" because of the polarization we have allowed to keep us separate, preventing us from working together to find practical solutions and compromise.

In further contemplating the NORC survey and the uncertainty of the government shutdown in this tense political climate, I believe the mood of most regarding the outlook of the country would be more optimistic if we, along with those serving in office, would do as Colossians 3:12 instructs, clothing ourselves "with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience," making "allowance for each other's faults" and "(forgiving) anyone who offends (us)." Humbleness is a spiritual attribute that I am learning more about, and to be a great leader in God's eyes, one must be meek and not driven by an urge to degrade and shame others during disagreements. I truly believe that God is calling us, especially those in leadership, to show greater understanding for each other's well-being. If we do not, our country will continue down this dangerous path.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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