The 7 Questions That Made Me Stop Cold and Ask: Are We Still Awake?

I’ve been writing a lot here on Uncensored Objection. You’ve seen it. Deep dives into breaking political news and what’s happening in plain sight. The corruption. The silence. The cruelty repackaged as policy.

This is more than just political commentary for me, it’s a lifeline. A way to keep my focus sharp and my values intact while everything familiar seems to shift and warp under this new version of America.

Some days I write because I can’t sleep. Other days I write because if I don’t, I feel like I’ll scream. I care about the law. I care about people. I care about fairness, truth, and country over party. And lately I’ve started to ask myself a few hard questions. Not as a lawyer. Not as a political commentator. As a person. A citizen. A dad. A friend. A neighbor.

Today I watched federal agents and roll into MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. They were backed by National Guard troops and U.S. Marines. It’s a huge, peaceful park where kids play and families gather, not a battlefield. But the armored vehicles and tactical gear made it look like one.

They weren’t responding to violence. They were there for intimidation and purported immigration raid.

Dozens of federal agents, some on horseback, others in tactical gear, swept through the park. Military-style vehicles, including at least 17 Humvees and four tactical vehicles were present. A Department of Homeland Security helicopter circled overhead. About 90 members of the California National Guard and hundreds of U.S. Marines were deployed.

There were no reported detentions or arrests.

The raid disrupted a children’s summer camp and medical services being provided in the park. Healthcare workers and children were forced to leave the area as agents advanced.

Watching all of this unfold in broad daylight made my stomach turn and forced me to ask these questions, not just of myself, but of you.

These questions came out of everything I’ve written so far and everything I’m seeing. I came up with them because I needed to stop and check myself. I needed to know if I’m doing enough. Saying enough. Asking enough.

I answered each of these questions privately. Took my time. No performance. No posturing. Just honesty. And now I want to know if you’re willing to do the same.

Not for me. For yourself.

Here are the seven questions that brought me to a full stop.

1. Are we holding our leaders accountable for their words and actions, or are we becoming numb to misconduct and abuse of power?

2. How do the policies and actions of current leaders align with the democratic values and principles that we hold dear?

3. In what ways might we be complicit in allowing misinformation or political gaslighting to shape our understanding of reality?

4. Are we prioritizing human rights and ethical governance in our political decisions, or are we sacrificing them for short-term gains?

5. How can we ensure that emerging technologies, like AI, crypto, and social media, are used to strengthen democracy rather than undermine it?

6. What kind of future are we building for the next generation, and are we taking the necessary steps today to protect our environment and uphold justice?

7. Are we engaging in meaningful dialogue and courageous conversations to bridge divides, or are we retreating into our own echo chambers?

I’m asking these because everything feels off. It is off. What’s happening isn’t OK.

I see too many people going quiet. Shrugging. Tuning out. It’s easy to be a good soldier. To follow the algorithm. To echo the loudest voice. To act like all of this is normal. It’s not.

With Trump in in office again, the administration is doubling down on fear and division. The Constitution is treated like an optional suggestion. People in power are lying boldly and repeatedly while our economy, our courts, and our country’s sense of truth are being torn apart piece by piece.

That’s why I’m writing. To help share facts and raise awareness.

So I stopped what I was doing Monday evening and sat with these questions, because if I didn’t ask myself them now, I worry I’ll wake up one day and realize I’ve stopped caring. I don’t want that. I know you don’t either.

If any part of this hit you in the gut, I want to hear from you. Share your answers with me in the comments or send me a private message. I’m serious. I really want to know. I think a lot of people feel alone right now. Disconnected. Like they’re the only ones seeing the cracks in the wall.

You’re not alone.

There are more of us out here than you think. Let's find each other. Let’s start with these questions.

Mitch Jackson, Esq. | links

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If you feel that tug in your chest, that’s not panic, it’s awareness. You care. You’re still thinking for yourself. Good. That’s where it starts.

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