“I Feel Abandoned.” America is in Desperate Need of Parenting.

As I begin writing this column on Mother’s Day, I am filled with reflection about parenting. Our tradition on Mother’s Day, always includes a walk into town for a coffee with our Beagle, Iggy and a little reminiscing about our kids. Sometimes we share funny stories, sometimes quirky and occasionally tales of how Team Newman pulled together to solve the worst of challenges.
After our walk, I had this overwhelming feeling that the tumult in our nation reminds me of how an unloved teenager feels left out and ignored. Why was I feeling this heaviness? I had been tucking this feeling away for weeks but finally allowed it to surface so I could reckon with it.

Its genesis came from something I keep hearing at every speaking engagement I have appeared at since January. Whether it is on zoom with 1,000 folks from across our nation, 300 folks at a community center or is a 40-person event at a library, I keep hearing the same things over and over: “I just feel unprotected” or “I feel abandoned” and heartbreakingly, “I feel our leaders have left us to fend for ourselves.” It hurts my heart.

At a time, when this country needs guidance the most, this administration seems to be offering “un-parenting”: abandonment, corruption, cruelty and division. When they should be modeling leadership, character and unity. Many folks who are apolitical, independent or lean left, feel adrift in a sea of intimidation, sheer terror and anxiety. And our own party seems to be flailing and offering no guidance, shepherdship or parental assurances.

To which I say, guess what? We, Team America, now has a new role model and parent: It is Us. We are going to save us, nobody else is coming. We got this.

I see it in action every day, activist leaders are bringing 5.5 million people out in protest on a Saturday with nothing but drive, love, organizing skills and dedication. That is what a parent does. They get things done. They protect. They prevent harm. They guide. They assure.

I marvel at how boycotters chased a bully out of our nation’s capital by directing the nation to stop buying their products (Tesla) and that work resulted in driving profits down by 71% in just three months, hence the running away from DC in a hurry.

I beam with pride when I watch activists oversee orchestrating a two-month delay in bringing awful GOP legislation to the floor that would decimate Medicaid. And as they continue to work heartily to prevent that cruel bill to come to a vote.

Team America is holding hands, being the shelter, the place to turn and give reassurances for each other.

Maybe we, truly, are now the parents of our nation. That said, it would be better if all our leaders in the opposition (Democrats) party stepped up, were role models and provided a little parental love but, as always, necessity is the mother of invention. I will also assert that some of the best parents come from families where there was a void of parenting. New leaders are emerging, and they will be our new national parents to fill that void.

I watch hopefully as Tim Walz, Jasmine Crockett, Eric Swalwell, Ro Khanna, JB Pritzker, AOC and others role model daily, fight back aggressively and stand up for us. These are the new leaders I believe.

This nation could use some unconditional love, role modeling, courage and a demonstration of consistency in effort right about now. It would be even greater if the Dems, the current opposition party could put their egos aside, be bold, transformational and emanate leadership, even in a time when they are not able to pass legislation. There are plenty of other actions they could be taking.

Ego really is a heck of thing. It drives self-survival, but unfortunately, does not drive the requisite leadership for this time, where the country is scared.

So, we, Team America, will all go on parenting ourselves. Working hard, taking chances, believing in the goodness in others and providing a shoulder to lean on to each other.

However, the candidates in 2026, whether they are challengers, running in an open seat, or an incumbent, would be wise to reflect on good parenting as a goal and know that the following will not be simply what is needed, it will be what is required by your constituents in order to receive their support:

1. Bold ideas driving transformation

2. Be a fighter and a protector of their constituents

3. Demonstrate they can put their ego aside and do what is right for their constituents

4. Offer humanity at every turn. No robot talk. Be authentic. Be real.

In other words, offer unconditional, authentic love like a parent, even when it is hard

And constituents out there: You need to provide some good old fashioned parental tough love to your candidates and electeds: 1. Tell them what you expect; be clear 2. Give them boundaries 3. Don’t vacillate, stay consistent 4. If necessary, give them tough love as a consequence.

Courage is contagious, but so is leadership and love.

Keep going folks. Keep leading, parenting this nation and loving.

Have a great week.