OUR PERFECT STORM COLLISION COURSE WITH THE TRUTH
From the NYT…
We get caught sooner or later. If not by others, then finally by our friend in the mirror. Our selfish, short attention-span selves, frequently falling short of our aspirational selves, eventually have to face the music. And, as the calendar turns to August, the double-symphony is reaching a crescendo, and WE THE PEOPLE can no longer repeat our whirling dervish spinning in place. We’ve got to summon our Better Angels… then Think, Care and ACT!
We could keep on slidin and glidin, but those pesky facts and the truth have finally done caught up with our fine selves. And, while it’s still easy to blame Covid and politics for all our shortfalls, those dogs will no longer hunt. We’ve backed ourselves into many corners, avoided personal and civic responsibility, waited on the “They” to save us…and look where that’s gotten us! TIME TO RISE TO OUR MANY OCCASIONS.
Our Truth and “Sticktoitiveness”
Many of our parents, teachers and mentors invoked “sticktoitiveness” when counseling us as to our work ethic. Reminding us that efforts will usually need more than an initial burst of energy to effectively finish the job and achieve our goals. No need to search for appropriate subjects to consider…no need for metaphors. Let’s cut straight to the chase, a potential field day for Truth and “Truthiness.” Inconvenient truths with many opportunities for constructive action. Let’s see how we can up our “sticktoitiveness” game…seek and model the truth with three issues: Covid Response, Politics and Governance.
COVID RESPONSE TRUTH
We didn’t stick to it…we didn’t finish the job. And while we allowed a deadly pandemic to become politicized, it has come roaring back in even deadlier iterations, and too many of us remain unprotected by highly-effective vaccines. Thus, an unfortunate surge in infections, and most importantly, a tremendous unnecessary burden on our hospitals and caregivers…endangering their lives while precluding their ability and capacity to respond to normal community health challenges.
You and I both have family, friends and colleagues who remain un-vaxxed. A small minority have valid medical reasons for same, but the overwhelming majority are uninformed, misinformed, or indifferent to the concept of “rights and responsibilities.” Corporate and government employee vaccine mandates will give this challenge a big jumpstart, but we can all help the process within our own networks. Get over your hesitance to express yourself. LIVES WILL BE SAVED through our cumulative interventions.
POLITICAL TRUTH…WE ARE/SHOULD BE ASHAMED
Politics…def. “the art or science of government…of guiding or influencing governmental policy…competition among groups or individuals for power and leadership…political opinions…” On paper, all logical and appropriate for constructive civic discourse. HOWEVER, We The People have allowed our political campaigns to become so debased and disrespectful that most citizens have become disgusted and distrustful of the whole pursuit. Blame, innuendo and blatant lying have become staples of too many campaigns. Most of us know better, but choose to remain politely quiet on the sidelines, only voicing our opinions in the privacy of our homes, offices, affinity groups and barstools.
We are complicit if we remain silent to these extremes. Healthy differences of opinion and civil debate are critical to a healthy government. Of course, this observation is subjective, and healthy debate is in the ear, mind and heart of the beholder. Our challenge is to be better attuned to the political process, and more quick to express our salute or criticism to our candidates, elected officials, journalists, pundits and spinmeisters involved in the creation of political rhetoric, issue talking-points and campaign themes. Across ALL political parties. We MUST have a better informed populace. We can only go up from here. We’re better than this. We can each play a role. Let’s do.
THE TRUTH OF GOVERNANCE
We do get the governance we deserve. By being well-informed about our candidates, supporting their campaigns, then supporting them while in office. With our contributions, counsel and advocacy as appropriate. We expect much of them, they should expect much from us. This is constructive, collaborative civic engagement. Our children and communities are watching. We CAN make a difference.
NOTE: President Joe Biden is an experienced, honorable, caring family man who wants the best for this Country. He is imperfect, as are we all, but is the right leader for this moment in history…gathering a competent Cabinet to help us to recover from the most destructive Administration in modern history. And, the overlay of the pandemic has given him and each of us a unique challenge. But we Americans have risen to many occasions, and we have considerable resources and incentives to inspire our best efforts.
We’re at a critical crossroads in the Good Old U.S.A. We have choices. Let’s choose wisely…in our civic involvement, and in the leaders we support to represent our best interests…Let’s remain conscious of the importance of TRUTH…TOGETHER!
