As the smell of turkey, trimmings, and desserts fill the air while families gather around the tables adorned with pumpkin pies and delicious goodies, I find myself being grateful for so much!
Watching the Thanksgiving football games and listening to my friend Derek tell me the Lions are going to beat the Packers this year, seeing our family come together and love one another the way Mom always did, and simply reveling in the opportunity to call Santa Clarita, and America, our home!
Looking to form a more perfect union, America was founded on principles that transcended reliance on a government’s ability to redistribute, but on liberty, self-reliance, true access to opportunity, and the practice of faith that can be tethered by no man.
Generations of people have been afforded these blessings the idea of the United States bestowed upon its people.
Yet even sitting upon a foundation of liberty, we allow political difference to overshadow the joy of togetherness, to the point that we even ask our friends and family to silence their views at the dinner table, so we do not upset anyone.
This saddens me.
Why have we allowed ourselves to sacrifice civil discourse for forced silence?
This Thanksgiving I encourage everyone to bridge divides through decency, empathy and understanding while speaking, talking, and most importantly, being thankful.
Be thankful for living in the United States. Our exceptionalism only exists when the individual freedoms of its people and government constitutional restraints are adhered to.
Think about the original travelers to our nation hundreds of years ago, who sought religious liberty and the chance to build a new life free of tyranny.
The stories of our founders are not just a history lesson in a textbook; it is a testament to conservative values that built this country — hard work, personal responsibility and the pursuit of faith and Divine Providence.
Be thankful for a Constitution that formed a republic with democratic undertones designed to limit simple-majority rule, protected individual freedoms of speech, defense, and unjust pressures from authoritarianism.
Be thankful for our military members and first responders who swore their lives to the protection of our people and our nation.
Men and women in our armed services travel the world in defense of our nation and often find themselves away from their families and friends during the holidays. When you bow your heads in prayer, or share warm givings of thanks, please share a moment for all those who defend and protect us each and every day.
Finally, I challenge you all to be thankful for the elephant (or donkey) in the room this Thanksgiving, political differences.
Recently it feels that our elections have turned relatives into rivals, over everything from border security to school curriculum.
Make no mistake, Republicans and Democrats, while perhaps sharing a similar end goal, have vastly different pathways of achieving them.
But those differences deserve honest discussion and civil disagreement, while remembering we are all people who simply want to pursue happiness, enjoy life, and raise families in a safe and welcoming community.
I have no doubt we will all get to witness that conservative uncle and liberal aunt spar over the idea of “systematic injustice” versus the defense of law and order, energy sector job creation versus climate change policy, or who would win in an arm-wrestling match: President Donald Trump or Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani.
My challenge to all of you is not just being able to have and endure these debates but shaping them into messages that resonate with everyone while not compromising your own principles or beliefs.
Take a discussion of immigration policy toward the gratitude of legal pathways for citizens who contribute to our diverse nation in positive ways while pursuing their own freedoms and opportunity.
Take that debate over health care and validate the incredible leaps and innovations that our medical system has produced, saving countless lives around the world.
Or take a fierce debate about whether “Die Hard” is an action film or a Christmas movie and … well … maybe avoid that question!
Above all else this Thanksgiving, I invite you to be grateful. I am grateful to remember a mother who raised me to love, to hold convictions, and to remember family is our greatest gifts. I am grateful to live in one of the most incredible cities in the nation and serve as your council member. I am grateful to have the opportunity to run and represent all of you in Congress.
I am grateful for the freedom to speak, to disagree, to pursue happiness, and live in this incredible experiment called America.
So, as you all pass the mashed potations, make sure you also pass on lessons of grace, civility and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving!
Jason Gibbs is a member of the Santa Clarita City Council. “Right Here, Right Now” appears Saturdays and rotates among local Republicans.
