I was taught that
it’s best to avoid talking or acting in a manner that 's bad, ugly, demeaning or
accusatory. Those behaviors are the result of self-centered conduct. They also
result in immorality. But what if the conversations were conducted differently?
What would happen,
for example, if congressional and governmental representatives refused to be
cowed by threats from military and armament marketers to cut financial campaign
support if they don’t receive more funding? Perhaps we would have enough money
to better care for the poor, the children, and the aged in our midst.
What would happen,
for example, if the president appointed a cabinet whose members were composed
of something besides old rich white men and women who insist on dismantling the
very agencies they head? Perhaps we would have a viable State Department, or
Department of Education, or Department of the Interior that would truly serve
the citizenry.
What would happen,
for example, if employees of ICE affirmed that breaking up the families of
illegal immigrants is immoral, and refused to continue doing it? It would be
impossible to fire all of them at once for disobedience, and some ethical and
decent actions could be initiated. And perhaps those immigrants could become good
citizens by attending English and Civics classes, and paying a minimal fine for
crossing the border illegally.
What would happen,
for example, if the White House staff stopped making excuses for chaotic
presidential decisions and demeaning accusations? Perhaps they could arrive at
a consensus that our elected officials are obliged to serve the entire
population of the country, and not just the minority that put them in office.
What would happen,
for example, if we could have some truly open discussions about the way our
government has acted in the past at the expense of whole groups of people:
Native Americans, African Americans, Vietnamese, Cubans … and consider what
could have been done differently? Perhaps it would head off that kind of
behavior in the future.
Conversations and
actions can proceed in ways that foster what is good and desirable. Not just
for a select few, but for the majority of our citizens, for the common good. The challenge is for us
to put aside self-interest, show some courage, and speak and act responsibly.
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