Sal's Reflections

It is never too late to learn no matter where we are in the life cycle. For too long the educational process has been front loaded and we fall into the trap that it is too late to gather new information and skills. With the internet and the array of educational opportunities that are available now is the time to gain new skills and learning. That degree or certificate need not be something that you regret not having acquired. Information is the life blood of growth and opportunity and the bromide that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is faulty and an obstacle to new vistas and opportunities. The first step in the process is to realize that your potential can be realized by opening your mind and spirit to the wonder of additional intellectual and experiential growth. Go for it now.

After the recent debacle that shut the government down the Congress has a clear choice,continue the petty bickering or create a legacy. There are mammoth challenges that will make an enormous difference in the future of this country. Immigration reform, sane energy policies ,educational opportunities for all ,and the alleviation of poverty and hunger to name a few. No one will care about who wins the argument in the future but generations in the will revere the names of those who really governed for the good of the citizens. I would hope that those in our present Congress have seen the errors of their ways and will step up to the plate and begin to govern ,but I doubt it. Already the fingers are being pointed and the same old inane rationales are given without one iota of insight. I wish it were possible to vote everyone of them out and try to begin with the intention of what the founding fathers really wanted.

Sometimes when I see our male politicians barking at each other I am reminded of the my male experience growing up in the city. Never back down, don’t give an inch ,and if somebody pushes you push them back. These rituals have dominated the political scene in America, and it has led to the total fracturing of our government. The one ray of hope is that there is a group of twenty female senators who are operating on a more reasoned base, and actually treat each other with respect. Certainly they have major ideological differences but they are not boxed in by the Testosterone phenomenon.The men have had ample opportunity to alter the “mine is bigger than yours “theme that has led to stalemate. it is time to role out a new model ,and my vote goes to the women. It is time to support the only ones who get the mood and needs of the country.

Twenty eight Billion dollars wasted, the economy hurt, countless lives of ordinary lives harmed for what? This charade which has clearly indicated that the government has deteriorated into a political standoff with the purpose of selfish partisan politics. Both extremes on the right and left appear content to keep this “Groundhog” movie on the screen. However, the middle which comprises the majority of the American people is “mad as hell” and will not tolerate this aberrant behavior any longer. They want dialogue, and are not interested in winning but rather want their government to work. They desire leadership and movement on the key issues that face the nation. They are not so naïve that they believe it will all be resolved by this last minute reprieve, but they have lost all patience with sound bites and photo shoots. If the childish, out of touch behavior continues the middle will make the Congress pay in 2014.

Seventy years ago the Danes in an act of open defiance to the Nazi’s saved 7800 men, women and children from deportation. The Danes in a spontaneous series of acts choose to prevent their fellow citizens from being shipped to a death camp. They hid them in hospitals,schools,churches and private homes. They believed that they were saving other Danes because in their democracy the Jews were part of the fabric of the society. Unlike so many other nations there was no “we” “them” in Denmark. This was not an act by the government, but a series of heroic events performed by ordinary citizens . They arranged a flotilla of fishing boats, small crafts and even kayaks that took the Jews to Sweden where the citizens had persuaded the Swedish government to give them refuge. We must never forget the courage of these people, and it is a marvelous lesson to remind ourselves that in the end citizens have the power to act against bias and hate.

I am always amazed at how in contemporary American life the use of labels are so commonly applied. Positions appear to be rigid, and once the label is applied then listening stops and rancor takes over. It is rarely beneficial to label any human being because the complexities of life do not neatly fall under simple labels. For example I am very progressive on the social issues, and believe in full equality for all persons under the constitution.However, I am conservative about a host of fiscal issues that need to be addressed. The issues are more important than the labels. So shouting and photo opportunities may create comfort, but they never lead to growth and solutions.

The impasse reached by our do nothing Congress requires an adult intervention. In similar life situations a mediator is called in to rationally hear both sides, and then to suggest ways that the conflict could be resolved. The mediator is not burdened with the goal of winning ,and therefore the impartial sane suggestions most times lead to resolution.The level of irrationality and out of control testosterone in the standoff today prevents the clowns from employing a reasonable way out of this enormous problem. They are willing to let partisan politics weak havoc on an entire nation and the world.

The current political climate is focused on the question of fault. Solutions are largely ignored, and most of the energy is spent on labels and fault finding. In the lives of ordinary citizens we would be totally immobilized if this was the modus operandi in our businesses and private lives. The beltway bubble allows our politicians to live in a world that is an alternate universe with little understanding of what the people want. Those who are not locked into extreme positions want them to go into a room and not come out until they find a way to move forward. This is that rare occasion when most Americans believe the negative poll numbers are deserved.

Very few countries reached out to their Jewish communities to protect the Jews from the Nazi’s. One notable exception was Denmark where the government and ordinary citizens had the will and the courage to not sit on the sidelines in silence. This is the 70th anniversary of that event ,and I am privileged to attend a ceremony sponsored by the Danish embassy in Washington. Leaders and ordinary citizens realized it is the responsibility to protect and defend every member of the society. I only wish that those in my government would assume the same type of leadership. I believe like the Danish people the citizens are willing to do their part, but the missing piece is government leadership. Partisan politics are the hurdle that must be overcome to right the ship.

There are times in every life when our existence seems rote and to some degree without meaning. Every day seems like living out the movie”Groundhog day”where nothing changes and we feel somewhat bored.This phenomenon has nothing to do with our value as persons, and when we are in the midst of this boring carousel we can choose to shake things up.Taking control need not be a series of radical decisions but rather the inclusion of some choices that make us feel alive and vibrant are healthy for us and those who are connected to us.It is worthwhile to conjure up some of those dreams and hopes that get the juices flowing again.