9/11/08

A country's will should not depend on tragedies

by Beckye Randall, Publisher and Editor

In the days and weeks following the attacks on September 11, Americans came together in unprecedented displays of unity and compassion. For those shining moments our nation’s divides seemed inconsequential, almost silly.

The mood of the country on this September 11 has, unfortunately, reverted to its old ways. Once again we’re mired in partisan politics, hearing about red states vs. blue states, left vs. right, the status quo vs. calls for change.

It’s unfortunate. So often it seems like this nation’s potential for greatness is overshadowed by its hunger for trivia. We need that daily dose of what the media has dubbed “red meat”— attacks on the jugular that have nothing to do with the real issues we all face.

Contrary to all the histrionics and chest-thumping and pundits’ attempts to turn us against one another, the truth is that candidates at every level of politics are patriotic Americans.

Choosing a life of public service definitely requires an enormous ego during campaigns, but a selfless approach the rest of the time. Working together is much more effective than going it alone.

Americans have overcome incredible challenges even during my lifetime. A child of the south, I remember those early heroic days of the civil rights movement. The tragic deaths of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King jarred my concept of security and introduced me to the unfathomable ideology of hate. My husband was shipped off to VietNam as that war divided the generations as never before. Political humiliations led to the highest office in the land—more than once—as the country’s faith in its leaders was tested again and again.

The natural disasters of hurricanes, fires, volcanoes and earthquakes have also touched the lives of many Americans. While our government’s response hasn’t always been as effective as it should be, we rely on private nonprofit organizations like the Red Cross and Mercy Corps to be there when we need them. And somehow, they always are.

Tragedies can bring us together, but we don’t have to wait for disaster to strike. While our priorities and our opinions may differ, let’s stipulate that our many commonalities are more important than our differences.

Can we get back to those shining moments of shared purpose that hint at this nation’s real potential? We can do our part, you and I, by insisting on substance over spectacle during this election cycle. Let’s see if change really can come from the bottom up.