Where Did Kindness Go? Rediscovering Compassion in Today's World

Amid the growing anxiety surrounding job security, utility bills, and basic necessities, an internal email dated October 31, 2025, from the U.S. Department of War (formerly known as the Department of Defense), surfaced. Addressed to “Policy Colleagues,” it extends Halloween greetings and informs recipients of a 59-minute early departure rule, enabling everyone to partake in trick-or-treating. The sender? Elbridge A. Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy.This juxtaposition is stark. While workers face layoffs, frozen budgets, and unpaid wages, government officials celebrate a secular holiday. Morale is dwindling among federal employees, yet someone deemed it fitting to prioritize festivities over the struggles of everyday Americans. In these challenging times, effective leadership must embody empathy rather than excess. When public servants are unpaid and families endure hardship, celebrating inconsequential events sends a disheartening message: “Comfort over compassion.” It's imperative to restore service values focused on community and accountability.