I was thinking about writing about the lovely petunias that are growing in a pot on the deck outside my living room window. They are very pretty and very fragrant. I love when the wind blows the sweet scent into the house. It’s a relaxing and reassuring sensation— the perfect antidote to the aggravation of politics— local and national.
On the national level, I am frankly disgusted by the behavior of Americans, on both ends of the political spectrum, for allowing town hall meetings to become screaming matches instead of information sessions. I don’t care if you tune into MSNBC or Fox News, people are acting stupidly. Yes, the health care proposal is massive and confusing, but nothing is gained by shouting at one another. The national media does not serve the nation by playing clips of frustrated citizens and perturbed politicians yammering at one another.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see people sitting together at a table, reading the health care proposal—maybe highlighting a section that causes concern for quiet discussion? Wouldn’t it be refreshing if politicians accepted questions about the plan without becoming defensive? Wouldn’t it be nice if they honestly said “I’m not sure” now and then, instead of spouting a canned speech?
I think part of the problem is that people feel that they are not being heard. Thatis something that happens on a local level as well, but I think that generally we handle our frustrations a bit better.
I just hope that the exasperation doesn’t push people away from being involved with issues. There are a number of “hot button” issues in Cook County right now—the proposed 1% sales tax, the biomass project, the broadband initiative, the Grand Marais Recreation Park Master Plan— am I missing something?
All of these issues need to be talked about. We need to decide if we want to pay an additional 1% sales tax on our purchases. We need to reach consensus on what the 1% tax can be used for. We need to research and either embrace or reject the biomass energy project. We need to learn more about broadband Internet and how it can or cannot help us. We need to sit down together and talk about the Rec. Park and how the goals established by the Park Board can be implemented or possibly modified if it is proven there is a need to do so.
Our governmental leaders need to hear from us. But we need to express our thoughts and concerns in a thoughtful, helpful manner. It isn’t always easy. But it is important. Politicians need to hear rational voices on both sides of issues.
I remember one of the very first meetings I attended as a reporter in Cook County. I don’t recall what the subject was, but I remember sitting in the Cook County Community Center listening to a speaker from the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC). I very clearly remember the young consultant saying, “He who shows up, rules the world.”
I don’t want to rule the world, but I want to be able to share my thoughts and opinions without being fearful of someone being angry. I want to be listened to. And I want everyone to have the same rights, to feel the same way.
Maybe we all need to plant some petunias in a pot on our deck—it won’t cure the political woes of our country—but it helps eliminate the aggravation of it all.
The most important political office is that of private citizen.
Louis D. Brandeis
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