CIRCLE THE WAGONS!

     

        Reds here.  Blues, you circle around back.  Greens, you're in the garden.  Purples, aka all others, find somewhere to be.  Somethings coming.  We have to hunker down in our camps. 

      Uh-Oh. Holidays are almost here.  No problem, we'll mix it up, and follow Peanuts' character Linus' advice in the 1966 It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.  He said, "There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people...religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin." 

     Can't really speak to the Great Pumpkin issue but I'm thinking the politics rule has been blown to smithereens in the past eighteen months.    

      Conversations with people who agree with us, even if it is  in whispers, are easy.  We don't want to offend anyone, right?  But, be honest, when is the last time you had a one on one, face to face discussion about your political views with a friend or family member with an opposing view?  Now some folks post comments, links, or art work that reflects their view on  social media...Facebook, Twitter, SnapChat, etc..  Many of these posts border on being downright nasty at worst or just plain ole disrespectful to a  "friend" with an opposing view.  Guess this is the new way and okay for some.  I wonder---there sure is a whole lot of blocking, defriending and opting out going on.  

     You would think since the election is over, the social media wars and protests would settle down.  After all, what's done is done. The politicians are giving  unification speeches out of the yin yang.  It's not working. Maybe unification happens one person at a time, not one politician at a time. Wouldn't working together to find some common ground be better than circling our wagons and shooting barbs at one another?  I believe love of family and friends will prevail but only if we demonstrate respect for one another, including on social media.   

      It would be very epic to see a train of all the colors circling together.  Perhaps Bruce Springsteen envisioned the same thing when he wrote the lyrics to "Land of Hope and Dreams."  Below is an excerpt from his song.  Peace be with you.

This train
Carries saints and sinners

This train
Carries losers and winners
This train
Carries lost souls
This train
Dreams will not be thwarted
This train
Bells of freedom ringin'
This train
Carries broken-hearted
This train
Thieves and sweet souls departed
This train
Carries fools and kings
This train
ALL ABOARD


   



       

ARE WE LISTENING?

            Are we listening?  I mean really listening.  It is an art you know.  It not only means hearing the words that slide off someone’s tongue but also deciphering the motivations and hidden meanings through observing tone, body language, and motivation.  

            Over the past few months, millions of us have stayed up past our normal bed times to watch some or all of the fifteen presidential debates.  Why? Now, I am not a politician, pundit or pollster but I surmise some have already made up their mind and only watch for the entertainment value and, admittedly, many of the debates have been laughable.  But, I believe the majority of us want to become informed and ultimately make the right choice about who is the best person to lead our country.  The dynamics of this election cycle are making it exceptionally difficult.

           Think about it.  Amazing promises of change abound from almost all of the candidates. Each candidate contends that they can do it better than the other because they are (A) establishment, (B) non-establishment, or (C) none of the above.  We want to believe our favorite candidate, at least at the moment, is the best and can do everything promised.  On the other hand, we are so disgusted with the partisan gridlock in congress we want to throw up our hands in despair and give up.  All the candidates claim they can tear down the barriers and get things done.  Bring it on! 

            But wait…hold the phone, push pause, and block the spam!   Are we not also observing name-calling, personal attacks, insults, cursing, and antics that mirror elementary school spats among the candidates?  Cute, funny…let’s think about this. If a person cannot even maintain common civility among just a few opposing adults, should we think they are going to react any different when a large group of legislators disagree?  Will they call them names and expect everyone jump to attention?  What if leaders from other countries simply have other ideas, at best, or disagree with them entirely regarding international issues, at worst?  Will they take their marbles out of the game and fly home?  

The candidates would like us to believe their campaigning demeanor is all part of the game but, if elected, they will magically develop decorum and represent our country with sagacity and finesse, domestically and abroad.   Of course, this incredible transformation from their campaign trail “anything-goes” persona to oval office stateliness will indeed allow them to instantly work through all opposition and fulfill all their promises.  Hmmm…

            The truth is very few us average Americans will ever meet or have a conversation with any of the candidates, much less really get to know them.  Making an informed decision about who to vote for based on a few soundbites here and there is difficult but it seems to be more important than ever to do so.  The world is changing and there is so much at stake. 

            Citizens do have the right to expect the candidate we ultimately elect to be president of the United States of America to not only speak responsibly but act with dignity, even under duress, every day not just when the mood strikes. Let’s put all the candidates on notice that we are looking beyond their promises and assessing their potential to inspire productive, meaningful relationships so this country can move forward.  Yes, we are listening!