Trends Are Improving…Why Aren’t We Happier?

The stock market is up, our sports teams and fans are back on the field, and we seem to be making serious headway in conquering the Covid monster. Summer camps are opening, and schools are poised to reopen in the Fall. So, why are there so many of us for whom this sculpture resonates? As with most personal and political issues…it’s complicated.

After five years of nasty political incompetence in Washington, we wanted better and voted accordingly. A narrow victory, but one nonetheless. The Covid-19 virus was the bad icing on a rotten cake, and a humbling and stressful political period has been prolonged by this pandemic. Covid was the insult added to our national political injury, and it has taken a toll on all of us. Our “we’re # 1” state and national myth is just that, and we’re now working through a stressful reality check and reconciliation of facts, fiction and their role in responsive governance.

There are many reasons for optimism, but also big challenges to curb our enthusiasm. We The People have to seriously address responsive governance at every level. The humor of it may be fodder for late-night jokes, but our laughter is muted by recognizing the inherent danger of defaulting leadership to too many self-serving political hacks. Our democracy is threatened to its core, and a resurgence of constructive citizenship and collaborative public service is required to right several ships. We are fully capable of rising to our occasion. Indeed, as I pen this on Memorial Day weekend, it’s all too obvious that we should be humbled and inspired by the many who gave their lives so we could have this opportunity. How could we do less? Let’s answer that with some thoughtful reflection.

OUR UNMASKING…REPLACING POLITICAL COWARDICE AND HYPOCRISY WITH COMPASSION AND COURAGE

We hoped we could wrap up 2020 as the worst year ever and move neatly into brighter days. But, noooo! Turns out that our New Year, while gaining more stability from moderate/progressive politicos, is still under too much influence from desperate, floundering/flailing conservative Republicans. They’re literally afraid of extremists within their own Party, having created their own Frankenstein with their incessant promulgation of Big and little lies. The R’s failure to support a Jan 6 Commission reflects their fear of too many inconvenient truths finally completing the implosion of their Party.

We’ve got lots of opportunities to remove our masks, hold our Friend In The Mirror accountable, seek inspiration from our Better Angels, and determine how We The People can honor our significant responsibilities of self governance. We can use increased post-Covid mobility, summer family reunions, non-profit organizational meetings and various E-platforms to keep those within our influence better informed. With those pesky facts and differing opinions. Delivered with compassion and courage.

WHAT “THEY” DID, AND HOW WE CAN DO BETTER

I’m embarrassed to say that while many states suffered from the incompetence and bullying of the Trump administration, some of the very worst aspects of governmental incompetence can be found—gaining strength—right here in Texas. Let’s consider three areas of opportunity where we MUST do better. But before we isolate these “opportunities,” let’s not forget the “Texas Miracle,” coined by a Republican governor who got temporarily intoxicated by fracking fumes, thinking he’d created an economic juggernaut. He hadn’t. The temporary Texas boomlet was celebrated by the same partisans who had underfunded our schools, refused Medicaid funds, and left women’s and children’s issues in jeopardy. But, I digress.

Let’s do a quick take of three issues (though we could certainly come up with 10), and consider how we might better allocate our time, counsel, money and votes.

GUN SAFETY

Listened to former Austin/Houston now Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo describe Texas Gov. Abbott’s new free-for-all gun legislation as “totally ridiculous.” Our men and women in blue, whom the R’s profess to support, are begging governance to remove assault weapons from our streets, do background checks, and implement common sense reforms. The NRA begs to differ. Thus, lives are lost, mass shootings dominate the news.

HOUSING THE “HOMELESS”

I have “homeless” in quotes, because the majority of folks who denounce homeless camping in public places have no idea of the complexity of the challenge. Better housing is just one of many facets, and housing alone is only a short-term band-aid for most homeless. There is no singular homeless demographic. Thus, communities must establish triage systems to identify causes and cures for often complex conditions. Health, mental health, education, job opportunities/training, social service availability and personal preference (some homeless prefer to be), are just some of the variables.

I hope we’ll see many of the Save Austin Now underwriters join Austin non-profits and COA dept. reps to truly seek long-term policies and programs to address the homeless issues, rather than criminalizing and punishing the majority of homeless who’d love to have better counsel and humane opportunities.

ELECTION “INTEGRITY” LEGISLATION

A small number of influential Republican office holders have realized they can’t win on the issues, so they’ve created a nationwide blitz to legislate voter limitations which would impact the elderly, students, working class and minorities. Many states under Republican influence, like Texas, are fighting these legislative battles. This is voter discrimination and suppression…under the guise of “election integrity.” Nobody’s fooled, but the bad guys and gals can get away with it if we let them. Let’s not. How about this?:

SO, HOW DO THE GOOD GUYS WIN?!

—By Slowing Down, Paying Attention and Being Informed

—By stepping up to better communicate with and support our elected officials

—By being a role model for constructive citizenship for your family and colleagues

—By making new friends who don’t look like you

—By choosing one or more community issues where you can strive to make a difference

—By asking yourself, “Am I EFFECTIVE, or just busy?”

—By choosing one or more non-profits where you can pursue involvement

—By encouraging agencies, businesses, non-profits and faith-based groups to collaborate so as to leverage resources for solutions

—By volunteering at your neighborhood school

—By learning to chill, lighten up and be silly when your stress level prompts

—By calling out family, friends and colleagues who exemplify bigoted, racist behavior

—By raising your charitable contribution budget where possible

—By modeling Compassion, Generosity and Kindness

LET’S MOSEY!