I don’t trust American politics. We are slowly losing our federal system, and soon, everything could be left up to the states—many of which might adopt draconian measures. Fees are increasing, and rights are being stripped away. Public schools and libraries may eventually close, and extremist school boards could dictate education. Women are losing control over their own bodies and may soon face punishment for choosing not to become mothers. Laws seem to have little value unless they benefit the upper class. Healthcare is becoming more bare-bones while living costs continue to rise. The remnants of the federal government might soon only manifest in the taxes we pay for various wars. The days of voting could be over, and the system Trump has put in place may never disappear.
Safe drinking water may become a thing of the past, and preventable diseases are reemerging. Future generations will hear their grandparents speak about vague concepts like clean air and lush forests. Natural disasters—fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods—will force populations into a limited number of cities where few can afford to live. Pollination by bees might cease, leaving mosquitoes as the only surviving insects. Cats and dogs could soon become the only animals that most of us will ever know.
I wish I could simply throw a dart at a map and move wherever it lands. However, that dart would likely end up in an ocean or somewhere in Siberia.
For now, I’m staying here and fighting back. I recently attended Secular Day at the Capitol 2025 with Secular Arizona. There’s a small community advocating for what they know is right, and I’m finding my tribe so we can support each other in the future.
My main takeaway from observing the House and Senate proceedings is that the separation of church and state is not being upheld. Although we missed the beginning of the House meeting, we were able to attend the start of the Senate proceedings, where everyone was asked to rise for a moment of prayer. Those of us from Secular Arizona resolutely remained in our seats and were the only ones who did so. Prayer has no place in our government, and it was disturbing to see our elected representatives behave as if they were in a church.
Another thing we watched was a brief discussion about amending the language in a proposition called HB 2437. I did a quick Google search while listening to the House discuss the measure before they swiftly moved on to another topic. Republican Representative David Cook proposed the bill and aims to amend existing laws by making it illegal for individuals to be present in “drug-free homeless service zones” with the intent to sell or transfer drugs. It also prohibits employees of homeless service facilities from permitting drug possession or use in these areas. Violations would incur harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences and mandatory fines. In other words, this representative seems more focused on enacting punitive measures rather than proposing laws that would support and assist those involved. This reflects the reality of the America we live in—it’s genuinely a police state. Our politicians primarily focus on imposing more punishment on citizens rather than finding ways to enrich their lives.
Another noteworthy observation was watching representative Mark Finchem. He was one of the first Senators to arrive on the floor, and we watched him get testy when someone approached him. He’s associated with the Oath Keepers militia group and participated in the January 6 Capitol Riot, which aimed to overturn the 2020 election results. He promotes QAnon conspiracy theories and has filed lawsuits to nullify the 2020 election outcome. His political actions support voter suppression, and he is known for divisive rhetoric that exacerbates political tensions. Notably, we noticed that he had framed pictures of Trump and Vance prominently displayed in the center of his desk, almost like a shrine.
Attending Secular Day at the Capitol 2025 was an enlightening experience that highlighted the ongoing challenges we face in safeguarding the principles of separation of church and state and the need for a more compassionate approach to public policy. Furthermore, the discussion surrounding HB 2437 underscored a concerning trend toward punitive legislation that fails to address the root causes of societal issues, particularly concerning vulnerable populations like the homeless. It’s evident that the current political climate prioritizes punishment over support, reflecting a troubling trajectory for our democracy.
My books Memory Road Trip (e-book or paperback) and Time Traveled (e-book or paperback) are both available! You can also find them at most major international book sites.
Krista Marson 