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This Friday marks not only the end of a traditional work week, but the final day of the year 2021 as well. Typically, a coda of the year reflects positive accomplishments of the previous twelve months within a nostalgic theme. Hope and resolutions for the New Year spring from past imperfections and a pledge to do better during the next solar cycle.
In this case, COVID has been an overriding melody throughout the year, joined by additional natural and man-made catastrophes. But, in spite of this, Tri-City Voice has also recorded many positive accomplishments of individuals, government, private and public organizations as well. There appears to be light at the end of the pandemic tunnel and, with perseverance and continued adherence to health guidelines, some semblance of normalcy is beginning to return.
Lessons learned from the severe constrictions of a world-wide crisis include realization that the essence of a free society is universal education of its population. Restriction of thought leads to irrational and irresponsible action. While some seek to simply motivate without reasonable tenets, such actions depend on misdirection, misinformation and faulty logic. An educated public is less likely to blindly follow mindless, nonsensical, self-serving arguments that lead to societal decay and moral bankruptcy.
The year 2022 is an election year in which we, the public, are asked to weigh in on who represents us when deciding governing policies. While on a day-to-day level, there is much to distract from regulatory decisions, they are important and, in many cases, directly impact our wellbeing. In California, the primary election date of June 7, 2022 seems distant and of no immediate consequence, but for politicians vying for office, the sprint toward ballot box success has already begun. They will soon be inundating your consciousness – in person, by mail and media – with appeals for support, including your money. Slogans and catchy tag lines will dominate, but rhetoric without rational arguments to support them are empty gestures, often pandering to basic instincts of fear, envy and class distinction.
Unfortunately, some people involved in politics choose to engage in theatre rather than clear and concise plans to address issues and problems. Blaming “others” for personal or societal ills is a tired, disreputable game of misdirection that has been used throughout human history. It has led myriad populations into disastrous situations that only serve the ambitions of a few and bring misery to most others. The antidote for the scurrilous practice is an educated electorate and open conversations that explore and expose common reality.
Some of our local politicians aspire to expanded responsibilities in regional, state and national offices where it is easy – and unfortunately commonplace – to lose sight of basic struggles of the general population. Due to demands of office, opportunities for contact with constituents and reality checks are reduced, leading to isolation and undue influence of money, power and prestige. There is only one, true check on this innate danger; that of a well-educated, informed and active (voting) constituency that will pay attention to issues and demand reciprocity from their elected officials.
This New Year, resolve to follow at least one major issue – voting rights, climate, child care, homelessness, tax reform, etc. – through the governmental process and ask your representatives to pay close attention to you and your concerns. It is through this pledge, that the equilibrium of a free society is achieved and retained.
Let’s make this a Happy New Year!
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