The end of any year seems a time to focus on the past year and to set an agenda for the year to come. I have this feeling that 2024 will be pivotal. My feeling is one of foreboding. It is the sense that if things go wrong, things will go very, very wrong. Recent times have certainly been trying times, with COVID, the danger of climate change, and threats of war on a massive scale. I cannot escape this sense that we will not respond to these dangerous issues until we take care of something more basic. How will we get past the deep and hateful political divide that seemingly limits our collective ability to address problems that threaten all of humanity? When it comes to solving world-altering problems, political disagreements seem relatively trivial. Big challenges are supposed to unite people, but we have big problems and we remain divided and hateful.
Let’s be honest, 2023 wasn’t exactly a banner year for unity. The political landscape remained a tempestuous battleground, where compromise felt like a relic of a bygone era. From social issues like abortion and gun control to economic policies and foreign entanglements, our elected officials seemed more adept at stoking division than forging common ground. This perpetual state of partisan warfare has left us paralyzed, unable to effectively address even the most pressing issues.
Compromise on most issues would be relatively easy for me. I have the advantages of being a healthy, retired, white male. I likely have sufficient funds to live out my days having to make few sacrifices. How many recognize they are in a similar position, but many others are not? I understand the notion of compromise, but what are the issues on which I feel it would be ethical and moral to do so. Choice for women is not an issue I feel I have a right to decide. Climate change is a danger to the survival of my grandkids. Should addressing this problem be something I can ignore. There are so many inequities and government seems the only means by which these can be addressed. How do you allow others to be as selfish as they are willing to be?
Civility is a different matter. Try spending a little time on TruthSocial if you need a dose of extremism and hate. Without backing down from core values, it would seem possible to argue for an issue without violating norms of decency. I have the time and the motivation so making my position known is what I must do.
Here is hoping for the best in 2024.