~a column by Mary Weaver
ANTIDOTE: a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.
It appears that Jefferson and Greene County (and the nation) are experiencing an agonizing emotional polarizing poison over immigration and numerous other hot button issues. Both camps believe they are correct and are passionately pursuing their agendas.
At the State of Iowa level, we have recent legislation introducing funding for guns in schools, chaplains in schools, mandatory recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, daily singing of the National Anthem, diminishing the role of the Area Educational Agencies, prohibition of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources from accepting and investigating anonymous complaints, exempting chemical companies from lawsuits if users develop cancer, legislation against members of the LGBTQ+ community, etc.
It does seem the real challenges Iowa faces such as the brain drain, nursing home atrocities, childcare shortages, second highest state rate of cancer incidence, gun safety, raising the minimum wage, universal pre-school, and the improvement of water quality are not being addressed.
Iowa’s education system has fallen from # 3 to 24
Iowa has the 8th worst state economy in the nation
Iowa is the 2nd worst state for the number of nursing home inspectors
Iowa has lost 3,367 family farms since 2012
At the national level we see stand offs between the two political parties and their presidential candidates, Biden and Trump. Communication and collaboration are now bad words. Governing is at a standstill.
I will admit that I am concerned that the democracy we know may be evaporating and I am weary as well as disturbed by this animosity and polarization. My colleagues and relatives tell me strife in our lives is common and will always be present. My half full glass philosophy will not accept that premise.
The following pledges were a part of my youth and I still try to implement them as a filter for my thoughts and decisions and utilize them as an antidote for my anger and frustration.
4-H Pledge:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, And my health to better living, For my club, my community, my country, and my world.
Camp Fire Girls Law: Seek beauty, give service, and knowledge pursue.
Be trustworthy ever in all that you do. Hold fast onto health and your work glorify, and you will be happy In the law of Camp Fire (This was a tune, and I can hear and sing it in my mind).
An adult organization, Rotary International has these four questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
I recently purchased a 100-page paperback book published by Civic Nebraska, entitled Reclaiming WE. The outside cover described it as “20 everyday acts to strengthen the common good and defend democracy”. It immediately piqued my interest. To provide a summary now, it is divided into four parts; Choose Community, Choose Learning, Choose Empowerment, and Choose Optimism.
At the end of each section there are questions entitled “Conversation Starters.”
Part one, Choose Community begins, “We’re better when we work together. A community thrives when people trust each other and show up for one another. Americans don’t have to agree on everything. But we must start from a place of understanding that we are all co-creators of our interconnected, interdependent, networked reality.”
I will conclude with three CONVERSATION STARTERS (questions) from Part 1: What is unique about your community that makes it stand out? What empowers you about your community? What is more important, being an individual or part of a community?
As a family member, a rural Rippey resident, a U.S. citizen, and person living on this planet Earth, I am pausing and reflecting my VIEW based upon the stated organizational philosophies. I request you readers reflect also.
