From the Inbox: I Feel Overwhelmed and Worried About Our Country—What’s Next?

One of the best parts of this work is hearing directly from you. Every week, readers send us thoughtful, challenging, and deeply human reflections on the state of our country. We attempt to respond—not with all the answers, but with an honest effort to wrestle with the same questions you are.

Want to share your thoughts with the Builders community? Email buildersmovement@Startswith.us with “from the Inbox” in your message for a chance to be featured. 

On Joining the Builders Movement

New members receive a welcome email asking why they joined our movement. Here are some of your most thought-provoking replies from the past week. 

My name is Anthony , 

I’m writing to you today because I’m seeking to be a part of the Builders Movement. 

I recently had an experience that solidified my resolve to move beyond the current landscape of division and contribute to building a better path forward.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic death, I spent the last two days trying to engage with friends and acquaintances on both sides of the political aisle. 

I thought my message was simple: We must lead with compassion and humanity, and we cannot let this cycle of hatred continue. Without fellowship we can’t move forward. I tried to advocate for understanding and empathy, hoping to find common ground in our shared grief, traumas, and humanity.

What I found was disheartening. My friends on the left called me a Nazi sympathizer, while those on the right labeled me a “libtard.” Despite my genuine efforts to advocate for love over hate, I was met with more of the same anger and turmoil. My intentions were twisted, and my character was attacked from both sides.

This experience, though painful, has made one thing abundantly clear: simply advocating for change isn’t enough. We have to actively build it. I believe the Builders Movement represents this exact philosophy—the idea that instead of tearing each other down, we can work together to create something new. I’m ready to move beyond the rhetoric and into meaningful action.

I am more committed than ever to the principles of compassion, love, and humanity. I want to dedicate my energy to a cause that is focused on creating, not destroying. I am confident that by joining the Builders Movement, I can help forge a different future for our communities and our country.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

 I look forward to the opportunity to learn more about how I can contribute.

All my love and compassion.

-Anthony C

Hi Anthony,

Thank you for opening up and sharing your story. What you went through—being called names from both sides while trying to speak from compassion—is painful, but also a powerful reminder of how hard and necessary this work is. Most people don’t realize how isolating it can feel to step outside the “us vs. them” mindset, but your willingness to keep showing up with empathy is exactly what our country needs more of.

Many of us have felt the same sting, and many of us believe, like you, that love and humanity must take precedence over hate. Your commitment gives us hope.

With gratitude,

The Builders Team

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I was inspired to subscribe because I truly do believe that we have more in common than our differences.  I tend to vote for Democrats and my husband tends to vote for Republicans.  Both of us had very successful careers in business.  Both of us believe in capitalism and the democratic process and both us agree on most issues. As with the state, most of our friends vote Republican, but again, they are not extremists and many agree with my husband and I on responsible gun control legislation.  (My husband served in Vietnam and is a deer hunter but shares my belief that no one except the military and law enforcement need AR-15 type rifles).  

I would like to see one party say ‘enough is enough’ and we are not going to participate in hateful rhetoric anymore–no matter what the other party does.  I was so disappointed in our House of Representatives discourse after Charlie Kirk’s assassination.  And based on what I saw, the Democrats started it.  We have to stop rationalizing our bad actions because someone else did it to us.  When asked about the situation, one prominent senator said, ‘well, let’s start with Trump.  No, we have to be better than this.  Each one of us has to be better than this.

Of course, I would love for the Democrat party to step up and be the leaders our children can look up to.  But I will be just as happy, maybe moreso, if the Republican Party took that action.  I will not watch Cable television programs that proclaim to be ‘news’ anymore because I believe they are merely entertainment and reinforcement to their audiences.  In fact, I attended a Dana Perino speech several years ago where she said that her program was not a news program but was opinion focused.  

Thank you for the video of our Congress singing God Bless America together.  Please send it to the media and our politicians and ask them to play it. I think it will make us all remember when we were at our best TOGETHER at such a tragic time.

Thank you and I look forward to learning more from you.

—Suzanne W.

Hi Suzanne,

Thank you for such a thoughtful note. What you wrote captures exactly why we started Builders: because beneath all the noise, most Americans share far more in common than we’re told. Like you said, it’s possible for people in the same family or community to vote differently but still agree on the essentials: safety, fairness, responsibility, and treating each other with respect.

You’re also right about something else: none of us are immune to slipping into identity politics or the “they started it first” mindset. It’s only human. The challenge—and opportunity—is to hold ourselves, and our leaders, to a higher standard even when it’s hard. That’s how we break the cycle.

I love your call for one party (or both) to simply say “enough.” That’s the spirit we want to amplify: leaders and citizens modeling the behavior our kids can look up to. And I’m so glad the “God Bless America” video resonated. It’s a reminder of how powerful we can be when we put “together” ahead of “against.”

Thanks again for subscribing and for sharing your story. Voices like yours are what give this work meaning.

—The Builders Team

On Identity Politics

Last week, Alex Buscemi wrote about how identity politics taps into a powerful sense of belonging, but when it gets weaponized it can divide neighbors, distract from shared needs, empower demagogues, and erode trust in democracy. 

I have found myself slipping into identity politics once in awhile. Thanks for the reminder. Also, thanks for keeping the article brief and to the point.

—Gary L

Hi Gary,

Same here—I catch myself slipping into identity politics, too. It’s human. The work is noticing it and choosing curiosity over the knee-jerk “us vs. them.” Thanks for calling that out and for the kind words on the piece.

—Alex

On Being Overwhelmed by the Current Political Climate

Most of the time I feel overwhelmed and worried about our country and its future. I need help.

—Anonymous

Thank you for sharing that. It takes courage to put those feelings into words. You’re not alone. Many of us feel overwhelmed by where the country is headed, and it can be heavy to carry that worry day after day. What keeps us going is remembering that there are still so many people—neighbors, friends, even strangers—who care enough to want something better. That care is the seed of change.

Builders is here because we believe that, together, we can turn that worry into hope and that hope into action. Even small steps matter. You don’t have to carry this alone. We’re in it with you.

—The Builders Team

Want to share your thoughts with the Builders community? Email buildersmovement@Startswith.us with “from the Inbox” in your message for a chance to be featured.