Friday, March 29, 2024

What if we all just got along?

Apples to Apples

Posted

Many years ago a Black guy was nearly beat to death by  bunch of cops in LA. Afterwards he simply said, "Why can't we all just get along?"

Of course he was given a ton of money for his illegal treatment and lived the good life thereafter.

Eventually he partied too much and was found dead in his swimming pool.

That was a sad ending, but it brings up a good point: Why can't we all just get along? Those famous words uttered by Rodney King during a news conference about his beating should not only apply to the various demographic communities that make American diversity such an incredible dynamic cauldron of entrepreneurship and culture, but also to the family of nations.  

Wouldn't it be nice if the Koreas united and California divided and many other states and nations allowed those who wanted more freedoms to separate peacefully?

The fact is, separating everyone who wants to be separated and uniting those who want unification is a naive answer to much more complex issues. The same holds true with this 51st State idea of Washington Legislator Matt Shea who wants Eastern Washington to break away from the mother ship in Olympia.

War is a failure to communicate. Putting everything on a ballot for voters to decide is a failure of leadership.

We need skilled ambassadors and skilled legislators to learn and perfect the art of compromise. As Lincoln said, "A House divided against itself can not stand."

It is easy to punch someone in the mouth to get your way, but that was an action bullies took at age 10.
Adults can do better and yes, we can all "just get along," but mediation, negotiation and compromise are skills that only folks who practice them can learn. Anyone can throw a punch, but not everyone can talk state and national  sovereignty off the ledge of certain anarchy.

Is anarchy what we really want? Of course not. We want peace and a place for our children to be safe. Food in our bellies and a shelter over our heads. Most other things in life are superfluous. That includes the ideas we cling to so tightly that we are willing to kill for them.

Learn to be tolerant or it will be the undoing of your cause. Give a little and get a little. That is the American way. Ask Ronald Reagan and Tip O'Neill.
 

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