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A New Year's Pledge

My parents taught me that we are supposed to treat all people with kindness, that we are to play fairly and by the rules, that we should be willing to subordinate our self-interest for the interests of family and country, and that we should not lie.  My teachers taught me that opinions should be based on evidence, that facts matter, and that science is important in understanding the universe we inhabit.  My professional training and experience taught me to behave ethically, to listen to the concerns and opinions of others, and to be willing to compromise to get things done.  My faith taught me that the strong have a responsibility to protect the weak, the rich to help provide for the poor, and the well to care for the sick.

If there is a lesson to be gleaned from recent American politics, it is that everything I had learned was wrong; that if you want to succeed, it's okay to be rude, boorish, unfair, unprincipled, self-centered, dishonest, unscientific, secretive, unethical, uncompromising and uncharitable.

I refuse to learn this lesson, and will continue to advocate for the lessons I learned from my parents, my teachers, my experience and my faith. I know millions of other Americans will do the same. As we embark on an uncertain journey in this new year, let us all pledge to maintain and to impart to future generations the shared values that have made America great.

Comments

  1. karenJanuary 2, 2017 at 9:50 PM

    Perfectly stated, Don. Well-considered. Deeply learned. I believe that these are the things that make democracy possible. America designed and mastered democracy for many decades. Let us fulfill that vision of a perfect union by living these values. To friends of mine: please join this pledge! This will take real work. I'm in.

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