If we want a society of fairness, honesty and truth, we need people of independence. Party ties are the opposite. Party politics care about power, influence and self-interest. It is totally absorbing of party. Nothing much gets done without their winning something. Anything. And saving face.
In such an environment, compromise is not only rare, it is impossible to achieve. That’s a drop dead statement of truth.
Fifty years ago compromise was possible. It was not entirely about party. We experienced World War II and its heady victory. We were full of ourselves, yet humble enough to organize and pay for rebuilding the nations of our enemies. Japan and Germany were provided a helping hand to become successful, wealthy and healthy societies. They relied on us for that help and returned to normalcy. In return we grew to trust them and rely on them for collaborative benefits in industry, research, space exploration, and education. We have shared our cultures and benefited from it. They, too, have benefited. That’s how compromise works.
Compromise also blends thinking and process to gain progress while tempering the warp and distortion that change implants on people. Compromise is measured and helpful. It is a sharing of thinking, prowess and strengths. It is not built on weakness or shame.
Today is a far cry from yesteryear. You know that of course. But do you and I – we – really apply this realization in all we do? Do we insist our elected leaders do our bidding, not their own? Do they know that we are intelligent and humble enough to understand their lack of progress on our behalf? Can they believe we are smarter than they?
Do we make this work for the common good of our nation? Or do we muddy the water to gain what we think would be better when, clearly someone is hurt by our ‘progress?’ We must think of others if we are sincere in our desire to repair problems and build a better world for tomorrow.
When I was 22, I ached for a chance to be involved in making the world safe, fair and just. I was certain our generation would accomplish this. I was wrong. That is very apparent. I am shamed that my generation has let down subsequent generations. Those are comprised of our kids and their kids. My kids and grandkids.
The world is theirs now. But what a mess we have left for them to clean up.
Like us, they are educated, smart and aware of what is wrong. They know what needs fixing. They can do this. The only question is: Do they have enough time to fix the troubled world before it is consumed and ends? Climate change alone is a problem large enough to kill the planet no matter what we or they do.
Realistically, have we given heir to a world destined for hideous end? Taking the blame for this is not good enough for us. We need to help fix what we fucked up. But will our help be welcome by the younger generations? Afterall, we have poor credentials for them to believe in.
A good starting place is ridding our society of political parties. Focus on truth and compromise. If those are not present in a discussion, walk away. If leaders cannot handle truth and compromise, strip them of power. Elect those who can.
Clearly, the ins should be out. I’m not sure those who think they are out ought to be in. We need a reliable litmus test to find the best. Then rely on them to get things done.
December 17, 2019
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