(Community Matters) hmm, still thinking about yesterday’s conversation and the later-in-the-day conversation with another like-voting friend who has an analytical perspective on local elections.
Thinking about political chasms – about those who’ll even profess a different philosophy but as you look beyond the language, you realize they spend a great deal of their time the same way you do – volunteering to provide opportunities and/or assistance to others.
My friend who I wrote about yesterday, mentioned that GWB’s presidency wasn’t so bad. This morning in bed, I tried deciphering that perspective. Ok, here’s a privileged friend who made and makes a shit load of money. He made more during 43’s reign (since the economy has now tanked), he & his family felt safe, probably rewarded. He’s a bootstapper, not a silver spoon, works his ass off nearly everyday. And now he’s feeling threatened by the rise of a “royal” presidency which threatens our democracy. De ja vu? This is how I felt about GWB, especially after 9/11. That was not a good feeling, and it isn’t a good feeling even if it’s not me feeling it but our political opposition.
Yet, I think about Pres. Obama’s Norte Dame speech and wonder, wow, didn’t he do a better job reaching across the aisle of American political persuasion than other contemporary political leaders? I don’t think we get to answer that question. It has to come from the other side.
On the local front, the conversation (which was not a unique one) is how Machiavellian will our local political scene become? Are the reports that the winning camp will seek political retribution correct? Are the reports of threats reliable? What are the implications and would this be tolerated by Austin progressives?
I’m friendly (even still – at least as well as I know) with the professional campaign leaders – though as I think about it, one hasn’t returned my calls since the election; the winner hasn’t responded to any emails. Don’t believe their honorable political ambitions would be corrupted so. And, then again, Lord Acton had a lot to say about that.
Community Matters 