Commentary: Recently someone remarked that we can do little or nothing to affect what happens. I agreed, but suggested that as long as we're here, why not continue our foolish efforts?
2020 will bring elections with more than usual riding on the results. Let's listen to candidates, and work hard for whomever we support. BUT let's all recall that few of our political adversaries, if any, are evil, or mean harm to us or our country. Almost all share our wish to make the U.S. the best nation we can be. Sure, many haven't researched things systematically, others are trapped in outmoded beliefs or ideologies, and many are afraid; but they are not the enemy.
Therefore it's important to keep talking. And listening! Not giving up on each other.
While I no longer believe in Santa or God, I maintain a perhaps anachronistic belief in democracy. I still believe in the free exchange of ideas our country was founded on, the wisdom of the common person, and the Maine town meeting notion that if we discuss something honestly and vigorously, we'll eventually get it right. But that requires us to investigate issues carefully and articulate them, without getting unnecessarily personal.
Is democracy endangered by our hyper-partisanship? By big money tricking us into unwarranted faith in this shampoo or that political candidate? By the retreat of the U.S. and Britain into faux nationalist foolishness? By India and much of Europe falling into ethnic prejudice? By the unarguable fact that our system placed Donald Trump in the White House? You betcha! I hope we'll survive and thrive; but would I bet money on it? Don't ask!
Complex political issues aren't football games, where we root passionately for the Aggies over UTEP, no matter what. We need to maintain our fragile personal relationships with folks we don't always agree with. At the Farmers Market, I enjoy Randy Harris's table because progressives and Trumpists sit with each other, and pet each others' dogs.
It'll help if we can maintain our compassion and humor, avoid being judgmental, and recognize (1) how much we have to be grateful for and (2) how little each of us knows. Facing our own ignorance and asking questions are two solid steps toward both professional success and personal harmony. Our aversion to studying the facts, not just reading the commentators we agree with, is certainly unhelpful. As Benjamin Franklin replied to someone asking what the Constitutional Convention had come up with: “We've given you a republic – if you can keep it.”
Meanwhile, let's celebrate what's great in our town. The Community of Hope is wonderful, and its program to get homeless veterans into homes unique. Our young people are wonderful and unique too: recent news stories describe Alivea (10) serving homeless at El Caldito and Lily's second-grade “Passion Project” inspiring southern New Mexico Walmarts to donate tents and blankets to Camp Hope. (Both come from families where giving and caring go back at least three generations.)
These young people remind us that many in Doña Ana County are doing great things, often without much recognition. If you know some, thank them!
Whatever our beliefs, the Christmas Season provides a chance to pause and reflect – to review the closing year and contemplate the coming one. Let's continue the struggle, with a constant eye toward improvement. We may not “succeed,” but we can sure do less harm.
Happy New Year!