Honoring Cong. John Lewis, While Challenging Our Public Servants and Our Friends in the Mirror…

As we complete a week of tributes to the passing of John Lewis, we see him as much a hero as any military veteran. He dedicated his life to serve his Country, to seek and honor what was right, and to inspire others to join him in the struggles for equality, freedom and dignity for all persons, regardless of race, gender, or sexual preference. He was a selfless devotee to our highest values, and believed to his last breath that such were obtainable…through commitment, collaboration and perseverance. Four past living Presidents, including one Republican, attested to his integrity, tenacity and worthiness as a historical role model.

Sure, We’re Tired, Distracted and Fearful. But that’s Good, And It’s What We’ve Got To Work Through…

What a time of challenge! Covid-19 is proving to be an equal-opportunity, nonpartisan challenge, creating economic and health setbacks, while reminding us daily of our faulty government support system. Almost too much to bear, but we’ve become entitled, short-term oriented, and unappreciative of the sacrifice, talent and commitment it takes to run the ship of state. And, what our roles in it should be. That’s why this communal face slap is good for all of us. We’ve allowed our schools, healthcare, infrastructure, environment, and government to deteriorate incrementally over several BIPARTISAN administrations. So, our response has been like the simmering frog that almost died before it realized it was in hot water. Unlike the frog, let’s jump to civic engagement safety. We’ve been warned. Let’s think and act and vote accordingly. These leaders can help. With our help. Read on.

Raising Our Expectations and Support…So They Can Raise Theirs

These are some of my friends in Texas State govt. Not meant to be exclusive, just a great symbolic photo of my belief in and support of those who serve us. There are many others of their colleagues whom I admire and support, but this photo captured a recent moment when Eddie invited me into his nicely-staged office to discuss collaborative government with him and these other civic champions. We’re experiencing too many reminders that campaigning is much easier than governing…at State and National levels. These pictured friends honorably and thoughtfully LEAD. However, WE all need to raise our expectations so THEY can raise their games. Their effectiveness has been limited by having hyper-partisan ideological adversaries who’ve been required to avoid reaching across the aisle, and by not having enough funds or resourceful advocates to level the playing field. Upcoming elections may improve the legislative odds, but our help is necessary so they can work for better. Here are some suggestions for your consideration. You create your own as I prompt you, then ACT on your civic impulses.

Diminish/Eliminate The Use Of Labels

Just think how much time, energy and goodwill are wasted through the use of labels.

Liberal, Conservative, Right, Left, Progressive, Neo-con, Fake News, Tax and Spend Dems, Right-wing Repubs, Socialist, etc., etc.

Too many folks parrot these labels in derision when they can’t even define them. They pick them up in their own partisan echo chambers, and frequently use them as a distraction to dismiss an opposing viewpoint, when they know they don’t know the issues well enough to honestly debate. NOTE: Can you define these often complex labels/terms? I can’t. Their meanings have morphed over time, depending on their latest usage and who’s using them. What a waste of energy! Let’s work to eliminate the weaponizing of labels and exchange them for:

Colleague, Citizen, Partner, Collaborator, Neighbor, Team Member, Friend, Friendly Adversary, etc.

You get my drift. Practice makes perfect. Starting with family, friends, and work colleagues.

Let’s Help Our Leaders Prioritize And Act On The Issues

The issues are not abortion, voter fraud, building a wall, school security, high-capacity gun clips, etc. Those can all be subsets of the real issues which should be moved to the top of our governance expectations. The substantive issues, where most legislative energy should be expended, include:

Public Education, Economic Opportunity (job training for changing economies), Affordable Accessible Healthcare, Medicaid Expansion, Gun Regulation, Infrastructure, Environmental Integrity, Racism, Energy Options, Social Justice, Voting Rights, Redistricting, Immigration, Transportation, The Arts, Effective Regulations, etc.

Government needs to be focused where the needs are the greatest, not the easier “hot-button issues,” where the rhetoric is loudest and solutions elusive or stalemated because of dismissive labeling and incompetent politicos. We will change the expectations and focus of our elected reps when we change our own. And we evidence that by increased communications with those offices, increased financial support for our public servants, and by seeking to be better informed so we can be better “partners” in government. That’s the best essence of “We The People.” The hopeful net result of these changes in expectations is we all become more effective, not just busier. We All Win In The Process!

A Mosey Close and Challenge

Be thinking about the issues that are of most importance to you, your family, your workplace, and your community. Consider how you might more effectively communicate with and support those officials who could make a positive difference in addressing them. I’ll offer some specific suggestions in regard to some of these areas of interest in my next commentary.

YOUR HOMEWORK

Determine to learn who represents you and your family in local governance. Learn how to communicate with them, and consider how you might support their efforts…ON YOUR BEHALF. Your state and national legislative reps, your school board, your city and county reps, etc. And include your nearest friendly spirits vendor and ice cream shop for a healthy balance. You can keep up with my interim meanderings through Facebook. Thanks for joining me.