Don’t Be a Jessica
By Helen B. Smith
Editor’s Note: In this commentary, “Jessica” is a fictional character representing a certain mindset rather than any actual individual.
America grants every citizen a priceless gift that no government program, politician, political party, or election can ever provide: the freedom to choose. This is one of the greatest blessings of living in a constitutional republic. Governments may shape our circumstances, but they cannot control our attitude unless we willingly surrender it.
Each morning, Americans awaken to a new set of choices. We can choose gratitude over resentment. Opportunity over victimhood. Building over complaining. We can invest our precious time in our families, businesses, churches, communities, and dreams—or we can allow politics to dominate our conversations, our emotions, and ultimately our lives.
Tragically, far too many have voluntarily handed over that freedom.
The Jessica Mindset
Some Americans have become so consumed by politics that every headline triggers fresh anger. Every success is met with suspicion. Every news story is interpreted as proof that their opponents are destroying the country. Elections cease to be temporary political events and instead become permanent emotional crises.
This is the mindset embodied by our fictional character, Jessica.
Jessica cannot enjoy a football game without scanning for political symbolism. She cannot attend a concert without wondering who voted for whom. Fireworks, family dinners, vacations, holidays—even simple conversations—all eventually circle back to Washington, D.C.
The tragedy is not that Jessica holds strong opinions. Healthy disagreement is woven into the American fabric. The Founders expected vigorous debate and designed a Republic resilient enough to withstand it.
The real tragedy is that Jessica has allowed politics to become her entire identity, rather than one part of a rich and meaningful life. She has surrendered her happiness to people she has never met.
Meanwhile, America Keeps Living
While Jessica fumes, life continues in all its beauty:
Children laugh in neighborhood parks. Grandparents create memories with grandchildren that will echo through generations. Friends gather around backyard grills. Couples dance at concerts. Families fill baseball stadiums. Churches serve their communities. Small business owners open their doors each morning with hope for a better tomorrow.
These Americans have made a different choice. They may disagree passionately about taxes, immigration, spending, education, or foreign policy, yet they refuse to let political differences steal life’s greatest blessings.
Walk into almost any American stadium and witness something remarkable: Republicans cheering beside Democrats. Conservatives high-fiving Independents. Veterans sitting with immigrants. Factory workers celebrating alongside entrepreneurs. People from every background standing together, hand over heart, singing the National Anthem.
For a few precious hours, politics fades. Something bigger than ourselves takes center stage.
The same magic happens at concerts, where thousands of strangers sing in unison. No one asks how their neighbor voted before applauding or sharing popcorn.
These moments reveal one of America’s greatest strengths: we always have a choice.
The Freedom No One Can Take
No President can force you to be miserable. No political party can require you to wake up angry. No election result can stop you from loving your spouse, hugging your children, spoiling your grandchildren, building your business, volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or watching fireworks light up the Independence Day sky.
These are personal choices.
Too many people choose to “take their ball and go home.” They isolate themselves, withdraw from neighbors, skip celebrations, and replay political disappointments for years while life quietly passes them by. The only person they truly deprive is themselves.
The game continues. The concert plays on. The fireworks still explode across the sky. The children still laugh. Memories continue being made. Opportunities keep appearing.
America keeps moving forward.
The only question is whether you will choose to participate.
Choose Wisely
Our fictional Jessica offers a powerful lesson:
- Don’t surrender your happiness to politics.
- Don’t let cable news dictate your emotional health.
- Don’t allow social media arguments to steal time that belongs to your family.
- Don’t miss your grandchildren growing up because you’re glued to political outrage.
- Don’t give elected officials more space in your heart than your faith, your family, or your future.
America’s Founders secured extraordinary freedoms, but perhaps the greatest is one no government can grant or revoke: the freedom to choose how we respond.
The freedom to choose gratitude over resentment.
The freedom to choose hope over despair.
The freedom to choose opportunity over excuses.
The freedom to choose America instead of endless anger.
Life is happening—whether we choose to enjoy it or not.
Don’t wait for perfect political conditions before deciding to be happy. Your children won’t wait. Your grandchildren won’t wait. Your opportunities won’t wait.
Neither will life.
Choose gratitude.
Choose freedom.
Choose joy.
Choose America.
And whatever you do… don’t be a Jessica.
About the Author
Helen B. Smith is a political and economic commentator whose work focuses on constitutional government, free enterprise, personal responsibility, faith, and the timeless principles that have shaped the American Republic. Her WFPX editorials encourage readers to view current events through the lens of history, liberty, and individual accountability.
Editorial Disclosure
This article is an opinion commentary. The views expressed are solely those of the author and are intended to contribute to public discussion on matters of politics, culture, and civic life. Readers are encouraged to review primary sources and consider differing viewpoints.