Public Debate Absent, Social Delicacy Takes Priority?
This is not a blog post about politics. It's about ideals, a principle upon which this country, the U.S. of A., was founded. I'm concerned at how easily we've abandoned those ideals in the past few decades in pursuit of stuff that's, now, worthless.
I'm disappointed that we can't muster more courage, like the emerging bud of a spring-inspired tree, to talk about two, at least two, topics that need and deserve some discussion, attention.
My concern goes beyond the lack of discussion about our "wars," or the scorched-earth politics being practiced in D.C. that is benefiting no one. (One Republican Senator, Snowe, steps out of line to forge some new initiative in the healthcare field. Yikes!) My desire begins to address the possibility of a unified message of hope and optimism that goes beyond personal needs and greeds and addresses our collective reality: we're in this mess together -- rich and poor, privileged and disadvantaged, white, black and brown.
So, the first conversation I would like to hear is the one that addresses a message, an affirmative dream, of how this society will look once we get through this economic debacle. Where's the new, compelling Vision (yes, with a capital "V!") that is so critical to inspiring me and others to make the sacrifices that we -- secretly of course -- know we're going to have to make? (My window supplier and his family have shuttered their business; several local restaurants that are members of Chambers of Commerce are forgoing their dues in an effort to cut costs.)
The second discussion that I'm missing is the one that goes something like this: "Yes, these are tough times and, yes, we're in this together....those of you who might have more privilege, more resources, more stable jobs, those folks need to extend a helping hand in a tangible way that cuts through all of the governmental and social institutions..." Charity? No. Generosity of spirit? Yes.
Yes, one of the barriers, a Berlin Wall of barriers perhaps, is that we don't know how: we've gone for so long without helping each other that we don't know what it looks like. So, here are some possible
examples: "Dear Neighbor, If you're struggling, lean on me. If, when your kids come home from school, you need someone to watch them, ask me. If you need a car for some trips to town, you can take mine. If you need some of my construction tools, please let me know. If you are forgoing maintenance on your house because of a lack of expertise, tell me and I will help you."
And, now, here's the pitch to you, my readers, the exhortation: We're all stretched and many of us are hurting; we need to stretch some more and be of service to each other and our society. This is the appeal for the next year, for leaders and, more importantly, for effective followers.
In business, this means that collaboration can be more effective than competition especially within the organization. It's time: 1) we can do this, and; 2) what can I do to help you?
This is not a blog post about politics. It's about ideals, a principle upon which this country, the U.S. of A., was founded. I'm concerned at how easily we've abandoned those ideals in the past few decades in pursuit of stuff that's, now, worthless.
I'm disappointed that we can't muster more courage, like the emerging bud of a spring-inspired tree, to talk about two, at least two, topics that need and deserve some discussion, attention.
My concern goes beyond the lack of discussion about our "wars," or the scorched-earth politics being practiced in D.C. that is benefiting no one. (One Republican Senator, Snowe, steps out of line to forge some new initiative in the healthcare field. Yikes!) My desire begins to address the possibility of a unified message of hope and optimism that goes beyond personal needs and greeds and addresses our collective reality: we're in this mess together -- rich and poor, privileged and disadvantaged, white, black and brown.
So, the first conversation I would like to hear is the one that addresses a message, an affirmative dream, of how this society will look once we get through this economic debacle. Where's the new, compelling Vision (yes, with a capital "V!") that is so critical to inspiring me and others to make the sacrifices that we -- secretly of course -- know we're going to have to make? (My window supplier and his family have shuttered their business; several local restaurants that are members of Chambers of Commerce are forgoing their dues in an effort to cut costs.)
The second discussion that I'm missing is the one that goes something like this: "Yes, these are tough times and, yes, we're in this together....those of you who might have more privilege, more resources, more stable jobs, those folks need to extend a helping hand in a tangible way that cuts through all of the governmental and social institutions..." Charity? No. Generosity of spirit? Yes.
Yes, one of the barriers, a Berlin Wall of barriers perhaps, is that we don't know how: we've gone for so long without helping each other that we don't know what it looks like. So, here are some possible
examples: "Dear Neighbor, If you're struggling, lean on me. If, when your kids come home from school, you need someone to watch them, ask me. If you need a car for some trips to town, you can take mine. If you need some of my construction tools, please let me know. If you are forgoing maintenance on your house because of a lack of expertise, tell me and I will help you."
And, now, here's the pitch to you, my readers, the exhortation: We're all stretched and many of us are hurting; we need to stretch some more and be of service to each other and our society. This is the appeal for the next year, for leaders and, more importantly, for effective followers.
In business, this means that collaboration can be more effective than competition especially within the organization. It's time: 1) we can do this, and; 2) what can I do to help you?
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1 comments:
This is good, George. I also believe in collaboration rather than competition. I also, though, believe that the question is: how can we meet our real, personal needs in ways that are nonviolent, just and ecologically sustainable? How can we support each other in realizing our highest potentials - both individually and as communities?
We need a new paradigm - socially and economically: one that aligns us with each other and with the earth rather than with corporate and governmental institutions that tend to keep us separate.
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