It’s Election Day today, and I have to say, I’m relieved. My relief is not due to the fact that we’re going to know who the next set of leaders we’ll have in our nation, our state and local governments. That happens with every election. My relief actually comes from seeing an end to the level of bickering and arguing that seems to now permeate political dialog and debate. It’s gotten worse. Much worse. And I can’t figure out why.
Perhaps the wide use of social media now provides a forum for people to behave rudely. Perhaps the state of the economy and imbalance in the world has created such discomfort that people feel a need to lash out at those who have different opinions. Regardless of the reason, I’ve just noticed that the level of tolerance for different opinions has significantly shifted during this election season, and it’s something that doesn’t seem very productive.
Political differences have existed since the beginning of time. People have always had different perspectives on how any organization should be run – be it a country, a church, a school or even a family. Most of these differences are the result of our life experiences. The hardships we’ve been through, the worlds we have witnessed, and the people who have influenced our lives all shape our opinions. Political viewpoints are also greatly influenced by the stage of life we are in, as each life stage causes different things to seem important.
The thing we must never fail to remember is that everyone’s life experiences are valid. Those who have different perspectives have a right, in a democracy, to feel and voice their different opinions. We must learn to listen, try and understand, and disagree with respect and class. Friends from both the right and left of center have enriched my life; I have grown and seen the world through many different lenses. Yes, I have strong opinions. But I try my best not to insist that everyone should feel as I do, because I realize we all have different things that we think are important.
The great news is that with the balance of power and the protections that our founding fathers designed into the US Constitution, the pendulum cannot easily swing from one extreme to another, in spite of what the alarmists have to say. Change happens slowly for a reason in our country. But as we seek to solve the problems that plague our nation and the world, we must behave with reason and respect for one another.
I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of leadership emerges in the next few years. Opportunities will exist in government, education, corporations and community organizations. Every sector of our society is threatened in some way. This is when great leaders emerge.
Recent Comments