The campaigning is done. The decisions are in. It’s time to work together on the challenges before us. For those who are feeling a little discouraged by all of the negative campaigning that took place, or perhaps a little cynical that bi-partisan efforts are truly possible, from 52 to 48 offers a sweet bit of encouragement. Folks, this is where the power lies - the people. This is where the possibilities begin - with us. Be encouraged, and spread the word!
The Olympics that were held in Beijing a few weeks ago caught our imaginations and held our sustained interest as few, if any, international events do. Was it the thrill of the sports? Certainly! The accomplishments of these athletes were nothing short of amazing. Was it the fascination with China? This is certainly a country with which we are only beginning to become familiar, so yes, there was a heightened interest for some because of the Olympics’ location this year. But we believe it was more than that. We believe many people were drawn to watch and celebrate the Olympics because of the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and civility that is part and parcel of the Olympic spirit. Take that same sense of deep respect for every endeavor, joy of participation, and effort to achieve excellence – apply it to the governing process – and you have an excellent metaphor for what the Institute for Civility in Government is all about, except we seek to make civility the norm every day, rather than an exception that happens only once every few years.
Today is July 4th, and all over the country people are celebrating. Many gather with family and friends for picnics and other outings. Others visit cemeteries to remember loved ones. Some are overseas fighting a war. And all of us are watching the presidential campaigning unfold.
All too often we take our country and the privileges we enjoy for granted. July 4th is a good day to remember, as best we can, what it took to launch this new country - and along with it, a new form of government. I was recently privileged to go to an exhibit about “Creating the United States” at the Library of Congress. Nothing I have studied or seen before made the challenges the founding fathers faced more real to me. Those founding fathers had big dreams, and along with them the courage and commitment to do their part in making those dreams come true. The outcome wasn’t perfect, but it was very good.
Since those early days some improvements have been made, most notably in regard to extending the vote to women, and civil rights guarantees, but who we are as a nation will always be in process and never a finished product. With the Institute, we, in our own way, are following in the footsteps of those who have gone before: dreaming about how this wonderful country and system of government can be even better than it is now….and having the courage and commitment to do the hard work of making those dreams come true - of helping us all participate more in our lives in community, and also be more civil to one another in the process.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the 4th of July. Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!
Madison Avenue is in the business of knowing what America wants - or at least what America thinks it wants. So we found it very interesting that in the midst of a wide-open and increasingly antagonistic election season, one of the Super Bowl commercials was a Coke ad bringing together two well-known political figures (Bill Frist and James Carville) from opposite sides of political aisle. The ad featured the two setting aside their ideological differences to enjoy time together in Washington, DC as they shared a Coke. Not only was the ad refreshingly clever and most welcome in its message of civility in the midst of political differences, but some think it is destined to be among the best “in a classic Super Bowl ad kind of way.” We agree! Indeed, the message of civility will never grow old.
The civil rights that Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others fought for represent the most basic civility – which is fairness and equality under the law. But the dream that he had went far beyond any simple law or quaint politeness. It envisioned a day when a deep civility and respect for one another would be the norm in this country. We aren’t there yet, but the Institute for Civility in Government hopes to take us all one step closer. How? By facilitating dialogue between people with different points of view, by teaching respect, and by building a movement that helps us all be a little more civil each day.
Is the New Year the new year for only a day? I guess it depends on how long our resolutions last. Here we are in 2008, and the presidential election is well underway. There have been many debates, which is good and healthy. And as so often happens, the negative campaign ads have begun. This is not particularly helpful, but in this country, negative ads work.
What does that say about us as a people? I hope that in 2008 we can all resolve to conduct ourselves with a bit more civility. Remember when you are discussing the upcoming elections and the various candidates that you can choose to either be a part of a growing civility movement, or you can choose to be uncivil. Either way you go, it will make a difference. The question is, what kind of difference do you want to make? I hope you resolve to be civil, and that your resolution lasts throughout the new year!
So as we move through Thanksgiving and into the holiday season, we are thankful for so many things! The people who choose to join the Institute, and the work we are able to do. Of course! We are grateful to truly be making a difference. But also for evidence of a growing civility movement across the country, taking root in communities all over the nation, as recently reported in the Baltimore Sun. As they say, civility is something we choose. We hope you will choose to join the Institute, as every person truly counts! That is how movements grow! And may we all choose civility throughout the holiday season and the new year!
We have perceived a growing hunger for civility in this country, and indeed have felt it ourselves. It is our belief that the hunger people feel will - sooner or later - be expressed in the voting booth. It has happened in the past, and according to the Post Star of Glens Falls, New York, it has has happened again. Those who won in recent local elections won, at least in part, on a platform of civility.
Those who are running in the local, state, and national elections of ‘08 would be wise to notice - and many of us would be grateful if they would run their election campaigns accordingly. The culture changes as the people speak. Go out and spread a little civility today!
Rich Harwood has recently written some interesting comments on hope, particularly as it applies to its use in political circles. He writes, “Hope is the result of people tapping their own potential to make a difference and joining together to forge a common future.” Within the context of the governing process, that is about as excellent a definition as we have seen, and it is exactly the kind of hope the Institute seeks to build not only with our membership, our Congressional Student Forums, and our student trips to Washington, but also with the encouragement we give to one another in our day to day interactions. Together we can make civility, respect, and mutual cooperation the norm - in our homes, our communities, and our nation. It may sound like a dream - but truly the best human achievements have always started that way. It is hard work and commitment that make the dreams come true.
The recent visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Columbia University was controversial simply by virtue of having taken place. Many believed Columbia was wrong in extending an invitation to him. Others felt like the “welcome” he received was inappropriately harsh. Still others were frustrated by Ahmadinejad’s refusal to provide direct answers to direct questions. All of this is an excellent example of how extremely difficult true dialogue can be when the differences that separate us are so very deep. It takes extreme care, wisdom, patience, and sensitivity. It should also be recognized that none of this takes place in a vacuum, but rather in historical and cultural contexts that are at once real and personal. However, we should not let the difficulties of the challenge prevent us from undertaking the effort to engage in honest and civil discussion, for it is in that context that truths most readily emerge.