“A pair of Hopalong boots and a pistol that shoots is the wish of Barney and Ben. Dolls that’ll talk and go for a walk is the hope of Janice and Jen and Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again…” are just some of the lyrics to It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. Like the fictional kids in the song, I have some Christmas wishes as well.
First of all, I have “beauty contest wishes” of course. Those of you old enough to remember the beauty pageants of long ago will remember the “interview” portion near the end of the competition where every gorgeous gal wished for the entire world to be at peace and for an end to hunger, child abuse and poverty. Me too, I wish for those things as well.
Americans seem to hate each other these days. We don’t just have different opinions, others are characterized as outrageously wrong; folks aren’t only of the other party or our adversaries, they’re our sworn mortal enemies who should be shown no consideration or respect. Everyone spouts about the Constitution and their rights but apparently those rights and protections belong only to them, those they disagree with should have their rights stripped and trampled on at will evidently. Apparently elections are fair and free in this country only if your side wins, convincingly and all the time. Our lack of civility, intolerance and drift towards authoritarianism is real, dangerous and upsetting. I wish we’d return to the vision of our Founders where the purpose of the Constitution was to guarantee the Republic and to protect the rights of the minority. The Founders thought the majority could take care of themselves. I hope we will return to esteeming democracy recognizing that it means give and take, “half a loaf” politics and the fact that your side doesn’t win all the time or even win completely when your side does prevail.
I wish for a general return to our senses. As a history teacher, what is happening in the United States reminds me of Rome’s slide from power into decadence and ignominy. The opioid crisis, drug abuse generally and the legalization of marijuana specifically all point to the degradation of America. Frequent use of marijuana has been linked to sleep disorders, schizophrenia in young people, infertility in males, lethargy at home, impairment behind the wheel, inefficiency and injury at work and a host of other negative consequences. I wish we would wise up when it comes to drug use and legalization.
I would like public officials to be more focused on governing and less concerned with scoring political points or raising money for the next election. It would be nice if public officials listened to us. There have been many occasions when I wondered why the City Council even has a “public input” section on their agenda when it seems like more of a “public disregard and ridicule” portion of the meeting to me. Listening doesn’t necessarily mean action but it does suggest respect and consideration, both of which too often are in short supply in modern politics and government at all levels.
I hope people have meaningful occupations. When I was a teacher I’d tell students that I hoped they never had just a job because to me a “job” is something one does to pay the bills but doesn’t enjoy doing. I told them I hoped they had work and a career. The Chinese philosopher Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Employment is important, for income yes but more for a purpose and meaning. To contribute, to feel one makes a difference, is one of the greatest feelings a person can ever have in this world. Let those around you know that you value and appreciate them and remember at work that money is nice but it isn’t everything. Often wages are not even the most important thing to your employees and colleagues when compared to being respected or even esteemed in the work place.
I wish for a return to “in person” life, full storefronts and vibrant Main Streets. So much of what makes life enjoyable is interaction with others that can’t be duplicated online either on social media or via e-commerce. Look up from your computer, put down your phone, get off of your email and social media, go outside and experience what Mother Nature has to offer. Life is short, make it sweet is my wish for you this Christmas season.