Monday, November 1, 2010
Vote Tomorrow !
Vote Tomorrow
It is a precious right that we must not take lightly. No matter how discouraged we get about the “politics” surrounding the politics, we still have an obligation as Americans to be actively engaged in the political process. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “we must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope”.
The unyielding passion for a “more perfect state” is what has kept America strong.
As I listen to the rhetoric of the politicians I wonder if we have lost the real reason for our passionate dissention. Is it really for the good of the nation or is it more for selfish aggrandizement? Is it because we have studied the issues and understand why we are for or against certain issues or is it because we for some reason want to exacerbate the polarization…the “us” and “them” (What happened to “One nation…indivisible”?).
It appears that we have candidates seeking political office who are unfamiliar with the constitution, cannot define socialism (although they are vehemently opposed to it) and would rather spew out pop culture phrases ( e.g. “man-up”) than help the public understand the complexity of the current issues.
Complex indeed. And to suggest that there are easy solutions that will rapidly manifest if we just put incumbents out of office seems a bit naïve to me. I don’t think the Republicans have any more of a magic wand than do the Democrats, the independents or the so-called tea party candidates. It is going to take hard work, sacrifice (I know we don’t like that word), and much more realism that we see today.
Fareed Zakaria, a thought leader for whom I have great respect, speaks about how the US has lost its optimism. We have become a nation of gloom and doom, blaming everybody from the President to the Chinese for our problems.
Zakaria postulates that our problems started in the early 80’s when we became a nation of conspicuous consumers. We increased consumption with no corresponding increase in wages, thereby markedly increasing our individual and collective debt. He said, and I agree, that we are all a part of the problem.
So rather than continuing this ludicrous path of divisiveness, we have to learn to work together for the mutual benefit of our survival or we will self-destruct as a nation.
I would ask you to consider acting on the following:
1. Vote tomorrow for those who stand for something and not just against the status quo. It is ok to be angry, frustrated, fearful, confused and whatever other emotion is appropriate for this state of affairs but if you are not a part of the solution, you remain a part of the problem. I have not heard too many candidates spell out what they would do to change those things with which they disagree. Vote for those who have a platform other than bashing their opponent.
2. Let us not tolerate the incivility and polarization that is currently being promulgated. We need to stand up and not accept the nastiness. We get enough of that from the terrorists and others who “hate America”. Sign the civility pledge at Civility Project. Org.
3. Make sure you know the truth about the issues. We make judgments based on sound bytes today. The issues are complex, thorny and have many different dimensions. For example, for those who want the government to create jobs and blame the government for the lack of jobs, if the government creates them, does not the government then have to pay for them? Is this not antithetical to less government spending? We can’t have it both ways folks.
4. Let’s rally around a vision for America. One that is hopeful and as inspiring as sending a man to the moon. I am not sure we have a unifying vision right now. Mine would be The United States: leader in Education, innovation and global alliances
5. Encourage everyone that you know to vote tomorrow.
It is a precious right that we must not take lightly. No matter how discouraged we get about the “politics” surrounding the politics, we still have an obligation as Americans to be actively engaged in the political process. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “we must accept finite disappointment but we must never lose infinite hope”.
The unyielding passion for a “more perfect state” is what has kept America strong.
As I listen to the rhetoric of the politicians I wonder if we have lost the real reason for our passionate dissention. Is it really for the good of the nation or is it more for selfish aggrandizement? Is it because we have studied the issues and understand why we are for or against certain issues or is it because we for some reason want to exacerbate the polarization…the “us” and “them” (What happened to “One nation…indivisible”?).
It appears that we have candidates seeking political office who are unfamiliar with the constitution, cannot define socialism (although they are vehemently opposed to it) and would rather spew out pop culture phrases ( e.g. “man-up”) than help the public understand the complexity of the current issues.
Complex indeed. And to suggest that there are easy solutions that will rapidly manifest if we just put incumbents out of office seems a bit naïve to me. I don’t think the Republicans have any more of a magic wand than do the Democrats, the independents or the so-called tea party candidates. It is going to take hard work, sacrifice (I know we don’t like that word), and much more realism that we see today.
Fareed Zakaria, a thought leader for whom I have great respect, speaks about how the US has lost its optimism. We have become a nation of gloom and doom, blaming everybody from the President to the Chinese for our problems.
Zakaria postulates that our problems started in the early 80’s when we became a nation of conspicuous consumers. We increased consumption with no corresponding increase in wages, thereby markedly increasing our individual and collective debt. He said, and I agree, that we are all a part of the problem.
So rather than continuing this ludicrous path of divisiveness, we have to learn to work together for the mutual benefit of our survival or we will self-destruct as a nation.
I would ask you to consider acting on the following:
1. Vote tomorrow for those who stand for something and not just against the status quo. It is ok to be angry, frustrated, fearful, confused and whatever other emotion is appropriate for this state of affairs but if you are not a part of the solution, you remain a part of the problem. I have not heard too many candidates spell out what they would do to change those things with which they disagree. Vote for those who have a platform other than bashing their opponent.
2. Let us not tolerate the incivility and polarization that is currently being promulgated. We need to stand up and not accept the nastiness. We get enough of that from the terrorists and others who “hate America”. Sign the civility pledge at Civility Project. Org.
3. Make sure you know the truth about the issues. We make judgments based on sound bytes today. The issues are complex, thorny and have many different dimensions. For example, for those who want the government to create jobs and blame the government for the lack of jobs, if the government creates them, does not the government then have to pay for them? Is this not antithetical to less government spending? We can’t have it both ways folks.
4. Let’s rally around a vision for America. One that is hopeful and as inspiring as sending a man to the moon. I am not sure we have a unifying vision right now. Mine would be The United States: leader in Education, innovation and global alliances
5. Encourage everyone that you know to vote tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)