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!
Regardless of what you think about the recently introduced legislation on immigration reform, we celebrate that it is the result of a bi-partisan effort. It is when we come together, when the wisdom and concerns of both sides are given equal consideration, that we are at our best……..
The news media has reported that through diplomatic efforts the United States, Russia, Japan, China, South Korea and North Korea have come to an agreement over the North Korean nuclear weapons program. The North Koreans have agreed to dismantle their nuclear weapons program in exchange for oil and a willingness to develop better relationships with their neighbors.People say that talking is easy. But is it really?
For years we have been hearing about the build up of North Korea’s nuclear program. For years we have been trying to dialogue to bring a stop to this program, and in the past promises have been broken.
Talking with another who does not share your perspective is not all that easy. If it was, wouldn’t this agreement have come much sooner? While there are admittedly many factors at play, I imagine someone involved in these conversations must have made a statement or two that really made sense to the “other side” in order for both sides to come to an agreement.
May progress and resolution continue to happen in all the conversations where we find disagreements.
May more of us learn that the art of growing together is better than living separately and calling each other names.�
Ever since the elections of last November when the Democratic Party gained control of the House of Representatives and the US Senate, we’ve been hearing about the need for civil governance. “Let’s work together”, “Let’s compromise”, “Let’s talk”, and “Let’s negotiate” are all phrases that we’ve seen and heard on the news.
The governing process is one place where people are tired of polarization, but the truth is that polarization happens in many places throughout our world, communities, and even in our homes.
The current issue of Presbyterian Outlook, (a weekly magazine for that denomination) has a series of articles that explore the healing that is needed, and is possible, in places where polarization occurs. It focuses on the difficulty we have talking with someone who does not think like we do. An article we wrote about the Institute and its work to build civility is included. You can find the article at www.pres-outlook.com.
It is refreshing to be a part of a growing movement in this country that is concerned about polarization wherever it occurs, and seeks to build community by encouraging civility. We are grateful for each opportunity to spread the word - whether in person, in print, on TV or by blog. As more individuals and organizations call for and practice civil governance, we will ultimately get it.
One thing we need to celebrate in our nation is the smooth transfer of power from one party to another. When our President George W. Bush delivered the annual state of the union in 2007, he was smiling as he used the first words ever said by a president: “Madam Speaker!”Whether one agrees with him or not, it was a great spectacle to see the transfer of power from a Republican Congress to a Democratic Congress with such ease.
Transfer of power is a big deal. In a democracy, it needs to be done with flair and ease. Not like some other nations where people riot as in Mexico and or kill as Iraq is currently experiencing.
Speaker of the house, Nancy Pelosi, was welcomed by members of both parties and our President showered her with praise for her new position. People shook hands, they smiled and they applauded.
That’s a far cry from the fist fighting in Mexico and the killing that is going on in Iraq.
It seems to me that this kind of behavior is what our nation offers to the world community. When we change from one party to another, we give up our leadership positions in peace and we transfer the power to the other.
Why does this happen? I believe it happens because here in the United States of America we focus on the common goal and we respect when a majority speaks. If we are on the losing side, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get our message to the public in a better way for the next election.
Democracy depends on sharing our visions and when they conflict with another’s, that’s time to work things through. Our President rightly stated that we, the constituents, don’t care much about whether we are Republican or Democrat- just get the job done of governing for all!
So let’s celebrate that each party needs to cross the political aisle from time to time to get things done. Let’s celebrate that there seems to be a new spirit of cooperation in Congress and I hope that this energy will filter down to all our states, cities and communities so that we can all enjoy civil governance.