South By Southwest is in town, and Austin becomes an international hub of much more than the traditionally great music, film and food. Organizers have done a great job of harnessing the gathered energy to promote conferences, workshops and interactive opportunities for business, community, arts and entertainment, government and technology. With one common denominator...the dynamics of change. We can fear, deny and ignore change, and become victims or reactionaries. Or we can choose to accept, understand, anticipate and manage the inevitability of change. To our best abilities. Healthy countries, communities, organizations and individuals will choose the latter. Let's consider. 

When Change Can't Be Denied

I find our artist friend Deborah Robert's painting the perfect metaphor to illustrate the challenge of engaging change. Our personal and corporate tendency to repeat the same effort, expecting different results. We just mow over the rocks because the grass is long gone, and we're too ignorant or too lazy to change our behavior. We're great at rationalizing or procrastinating...until we can't anymore. When we can no longer fool our friend in the mirror. When enough's enough. When conscience and compassion supersede greed and indifference. When we realize "we're all in this together" and act like it. 

Our Embarrassing National Wakeup Calls

The old cartoon character said, "Too soon ve get old, too late ve get smart." And as spoiled as we've become to our "We're No. 1" mentality, we have to be slapped a little harder before we're humbled enough to get a grip. The Parkland school shootings and the recent elections in Alabama and Pennsylvania are important and timely reality checks. Undeniable reminders that the NRA's priorities promote more harm than good, and that our State and National governments often do not serve the best interests of the citizens they've sworn to represent.

The Parkland students and Pennsylvania congressional winner Conor Lamb are recent reminders of both what we've become and what we can be if our Better Angels can motivate our better selves to get back on a healthier path. A majority of us have let down our guard, and by fault or default have allowed a few to alter our destiny...because they could. And we wouldn't. We weren't paying attention, were distracted by shiny objects and didn't vote. And those who voted for change didn't vet their champions, so we wind up with Trump, Ben Carson, Betsy DeVos and their ilk, with no idea how to govern. Change we can't believe in.

What Change Isn't...and Is

Change ISN'T just outlawing bump stocks and improving background checks. And certainly not arming teachers.

Constructive Change IS comprehensive firearm regulation. Including weapon types, magazine capacity, bumpstocks, background checks, ownership age, etc.

Change ISN'T supposed tax reform that becomes tax cuts by gutting critical programs such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and regulatory protection.

Constructive Change IS comprehensive tax reform that addresses revenue sources, tax systems and program priorities. They are not mutually exclusive. A revitalization of this Country will be dependent on a strong system of education and increased economic opportunity.

Change ISN'T arbitrarily administered tariffs.

Constructive Change IS renegotiation of international trade agreements.

Change ISN'T partisan rigidity, incivility and assigning blame.

Constructive Change IS bipartisan/nonpartisan pursuit of compromise for the common good. A major National infrastructure program would be a great place to start.

ETC., ETC. You get my drift.

A Mosey Salute to Younger Voices for Change

This Mosey Commentary is being published on the anniversary of my son's passing from cancer at age 12 in 1989. He was an outstanding scholar/athlete in the Austin public schools, and would have been right in the midst of these student protests. He was developing a community conscience and passion for what he believed in when he was taken too early.

We older citizens owe a huge debt of gratitude for the courage and commitment of the Parkland students and others who dared to speak their truths to many powers. Who, though young in age and political experience, knew right from wrong, and were articulate and passionate in their significant quest to get our attention.

And for Conor Lamb, who saw politicians and political systems that weren't working and felt he could do better. He proved that citizen voters are sick of arrogant incumbents who haven't honored their oaths of office. Like many here in Texas. And he showed that a viable candidate can shun rigid partisan ideology, chart a course to work with all sides in the public interest, and win.

I'm thankful for the time I had with Graham. I'm grateful for the courage and conscience of the students who dare, and the candidates who have faith that they can still make a positive difference. With our help, they can. Let's all pledge to work more closely with our elected representatives, and make sure our friend in the mirror is a positive catalyst for change. LET'S MOSEY!