No, We Are Never Alone

Alone? No. We are never alone, and we do not need another federal or state program, another Harvard study, or a government solution for the so-called  “epidemic of loneliness.” We need something more basic: Each other, greater faith, restored values, closeness to family and friends, higher purpose.

“Let’s start at the beginning, a very good place to start,” to quote Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music, courage in the darkness. Some things we know. We have a loving God. To mind comes Matthew 28:20, a simple, profound promise, often forgotten: “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  

So, Harvard just reported that those ages 30 to 44 are loneliest, 29 percent saying they are “lonely,” 24 percent of those 18 to 29, 20 percent of those 45 to 64, and 10 percent over 65. What do these numbers mean?

Without denying that we live in a fraying society, less social interaction, more absorption in electronic games than outdoors or working, less thinking for oneself, and self-discipline, here is a truth: Another “government program” will not fix it.

Some of the so-called “loneliness studies” overstate the facts, push new government programs, but this is a deception, a hoodwink, a wrong remedy for a real problem.

Addressing modern loneliness – even accepting the data – is better suited to one-on-one engagement, churches, neighbors, employers, schools that teach individual responsibility, self-reliance, mental toughness, not the reverse.

Indulge me, and catch the Bible again, Jesus in Mark 12:29-31. Some may discount or mock them, but they stand the test of time, are instructive, uplifting, and often misunderstood.

“The first Commandment is: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ”Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

As a remedy for loneliness, Christ assures, comforts, and then timelessly proves, we are never alone but loved, and we can learn from that love how to love. We are lifted by slowing down, but not stopping, opening our hearts to neighbors.

There is more. This part is key. We are told that nothing is more important than love of God and loving our neighbors as ourselves, but – wait – what does that require? To love your neighbor as yourself, you must first love yourself.

The solution for loneliness is not in the government, never has been. Loneliness is from something missing that no government can provide, a gap finally filled by service to others, creative thinking for that end, personal engagement, and having faith.

Government cannot provide those things – except by getting out of the way. Instead of undermining moral teaching, churches, faith-based non-profits, pregnancy centers, police, military, and teachers with values, we need to lift them.

In Maine, as in other parts of the country, a left-leaning government sees itself as the answer to everything. Actually, it is not. It is often the problem, self-absorbed leaders who miss the forest for the trees.

As Maine’s budget has ballooned from 6.8 billion to submitted 11.7 billion, 450 million deficit in a handful of years, things have gone from bad to worse. Maine’s Democrat governor and legislature have mismanaged, misdirected, assumed powers they do not have, demeaned individual liberties, churches, faith-based nonprofits, law enforcement, and welcomed 8000 illegal aliens, drug traffickers, and record taxes.

To what end? Misery, a state in disrepair. Guess what else? In COVID, shutting schools, bankrupting businesses, forcing people to abandon their faith for vaccines or lose their job, forcing closure of churches, businesses – spiked loneliness.

Schools, perhaps the biggest meltdown authored by Democrats – have 2.5 times the money pushed at them than 30 years ago – for more administration – while Maine fell from top in the nation to 50 of 50, a disgrace they own.

Loneliness? It is about being forgotten, misused, abused, taken for granted, left uneducated, subject to fear from illegals, traffickers, crime, and taxes so high that seniors face loss of their homes, and young people cannot afford to buy one.

Loneliness? Do you think the WWII generation did not feel that pain? Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War generations? But did they spike loneliness? They had faith, family, worked hard by choice, and knew service – a higher calling – was the answer.

Service defined them, not another government program to boost their self-esteem, learn sensitivity, find their transsexualism, do drugs easily, or other Maine answers.

Bottom line: What we need is truth, in government and in life. Loneliness, like a hundred other ailments, is serious – not for lack of another program, but because we are missing what we once had – love of others, love of self, love of God, and with those three things, inner peace.

Government cannot provide that, only we can – for ourselves and others, rising to help, serve, touch, and pull others from darkness. That is the solution, not the government.

So sleep, recalling Isaiah 49:10, the Bible’s enduring promise. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you …” Alone? No, we are never alone.

Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC. Robert Charles has also just released an uplifting new book, “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024).