Today's Task
The debate shouldn’t be whether we need a big government or a small government, but how we can create a smarter government. Government should give our citizens the tools they need to succeed. Our government can’t guarantee results, but it should guarantee a shot at opportunity for every American who's willing to work hard. While, debating the role of government in our lives, it’s important to remember, that our government needs to respond to challenges of our times in a constructive manner.
Civility requires that we recall the simple lesson most of us learned from our parents: treat others as you would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect.
If we choose only to expose ourselves to viewpoints that are in line with our own, studies show, that we’ll become more polarized. Consequently, we’ll be deepening the political divides in this country, but if we choose to actively seek out information that challenges our assumptions, we might begin to understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from. If you grew up in a big city, spend some time with people, who grew up in a rural town. If you find yourself only hanging around with people of your race, ethnicity or religion, broaden your circle to include people who've had different life experiences. Learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes, and in the process, you'll help make our democracy work.
Practice listening to opposing views, because it’s essential to effective citizenship. An honest, productive debate requires that we all agree on a certain set of facts. As Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."
Obama has pointed out: “When we don't pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders; when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day; when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that's when democracy breaks down. That's when power is abused. That's when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That's when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of Washington - because none of us are there to speak up and stop them.”
Effective citizenship requires, that we stay informed and contribute to the debate. Write letters, or make phone calls on behalf of an issue you care about. For all the cynicism that's out there, we must never forget that as Americans, we enjoy more freedoms and opportunities than citizens in any other nation on Earth. We’re free to speak our mind, worship as we please, choose our leaders and criticize them if they let us down. We have the opportunity to get an education, work hard, and give our children a better life.
In the end, we need to look past all of our disagreements and forge a common future. Today, our task is about whether a free society can still compete globally.
Civility requires that we recall the simple lesson most of us learned from our parents: treat others as you would like to be treated, with courtesy and respect.
If we choose only to expose ourselves to viewpoints that are in line with our own, studies show, that we’ll become more polarized. Consequently, we’ll be deepening the political divides in this country, but if we choose to actively seek out information that challenges our assumptions, we might begin to understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from. If you grew up in a big city, spend some time with people, who grew up in a rural town. If you find yourself only hanging around with people of your race, ethnicity or religion, broaden your circle to include people who've had different life experiences. Learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes, and in the process, you'll help make our democracy work.
Practice listening to opposing views, because it’s essential to effective citizenship. An honest, productive debate requires that we all agree on a certain set of facts. As Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said, "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."
Obama has pointed out: “When we don't pay close attention to the decisions made by our leaders; when we fail to educate ourselves about the major issues of the day; when we choose not to make our voices and opinions heard, that's when democracy breaks down. That's when power is abused. That's when the most extreme voices in our society fill the void that we leave. That's when powerful interests and their lobbyists are most able to buy access and influence in the corridors of Washington - because none of us are there to speak up and stop them.”
Effective citizenship requires, that we stay informed and contribute to the debate. Write letters, or make phone calls on behalf of an issue you care about. For all the cynicism that's out there, we must never forget that as Americans, we enjoy more freedoms and opportunities than citizens in any other nation on Earth. We’re free to speak our mind, worship as we please, choose our leaders and criticize them if they let us down. We have the opportunity to get an education, work hard, and give our children a better life.
In the end, we need to look past all of our disagreements and forge a common future. Today, our task is about whether a free society can still compete globally.
posted by Jim O'Leary | 7:42 AM
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