Getting Along
A friend recently shared the story of sitting at a doctor’s office on Election Day. An elderly couple sat down next to him and the man says to him “I’m hoping for a red wave today.” My friend said “I’m hoping for a blue wave” and the elderly woman said “Don’t talk to those people” and they moved to sit somewhere else.
In case you’re not old enough to remember, there was a time when politicians in Washington worked together. In the 70’s and 80’s the two sides of the aisle had a basic respect for one another and would regularly find middle ground to pass legislation that benefited both sides. Compromise was possible and expected. (No one gets everything they want, you know.) Politicians from different camps had lunch together, supported causes together. Citizens on the street from different parties were not afraid of each other.
In the 90’s Newt Gingrich introduced a new concept where the other side was the enemy and compromise was seen as a sign of weakness. Since that time, politics has degraded into a shouting match where the other side is seen as dangerous to our very way of life. Our country has been divided into two separate cultures, made more possible by social media, biased news channels, and unscrupulous politicians who now see this division as a way to assume and keep power and control.
We don’t have to play along. It’s possible to work hard for issues and candidates we support without hating the other side. It’s possible to see through the fear-mongering and take a higher ground.
If your candidate is a bully who is simply calling others names, they should not be your hero. Bullies are weak. We can all do better.
Start this week by finding common ground. Avoid talking politics and find ways to remind each other of our shared goals. Try “Let’s not talk about politics. I’m not in the mood for an argument, let’s find something we agree upon. How about that college game last weekend?!”
Our wonderful marching activity is also a great place to start. Make your team a place where everyone is welcome, working toward our goals of excellence and art. The marching arts is fun, and everyone has a place. The bands we watched at recent contests were full of diverse students and the stands were full of Republicans and Democrats, all clapping and supporting our young people together. Let’s remember this. Let’s start there.
Tim Hinton
November 21, 2022
Picture: Archbishop Alter HS Band
