Common Ground vs Partisan Politics

Results are still unknown in our 2020 general election. Like many others, I cannot seem to tear myself away from the TV. Each hour we think something might change thus bringing us an answer. Hours have turned to days. We inch closer to getting closer. It is maddening. Yet, within all the hours we are learning a great deal about our electoral process, counties within states, history, and math. It is fascinating at times. My tendency is to go back and forth between networks (CNN and Fox News). It is important to me to have a more balanced picture of what is unfolding rather than just one perspective. While switching I am gaining more tolerance in some areas. Although I personally have strong views, particularly with respect to civil rights that directly affect me – women, LGBTQ – I remain open in other areas. By that I mean to say that I personally do not believe that either party is the end all be all. It is important to me to focus on common ground.

Perhaps it is my professional background influencing me. Project Management deals with change. The implementation of new systems require change. Some people embrace the change and can see where benefits can be gained. Others resist the change outright. Those resisting cannot see any benefit in the change. My role as a person leading a change effort is to get as much buy in as possible to move the change forward. It requires a tremendous amount of patience as well as respect. Listening is also key. People need to be heard. Agreement is not always necessary but the need to be heard and to have a voice is. Forcing a change or using a heavy hand is rarely successful. Change is iterative. It is rare to make a big sweeping change that simply sticks. A change is made, things settle for a bit, lessons are learned and then the system is adjusted again. With politics it tends to be sweeping changes going one way and then the other party takes over and we go back. Little by little over the years change is adopted. One example is the right for women to vote. When originally fought for it seemed a very radical notion. People on both sides of the issue fought hard for their belief. At that time, it would have been hard to imagine that at some point in the future the fight would be exhausted. Women now have the right to vote. In fact, it seems strange now to think otherwise.

In my lifetime I have also seen progress in the rights of GBLTQ. Agreed, we are not as far along as we could or should be. Yet, we have openly GBLTQ individuals in positions within our government. That is amazing to me. We are trending in the right direction. I have faith that we will continue to make progress. One area that I would like to see more progress is with health care. This one is tricky as it can be synonymous with socialism for some. Perhaps the pandemic will help more see how the lack of health care for some affects us all. Just recently I have been struggling with health care coverage. Since quitting my job and moving, I am without an employers’ coverage. We found a broker and are purchasing as individuals at a rate $1000 per month. It is supposed to be great insurance, yet I struggle to find a provider that accepts it. We should definitely have a system in place where insurance and coverage are a given when an individual pays $1000 per month. Despite political differences, I am pretty sure that this is a universal belief or common ground. If such a thing exists. Partisan politics is so challenging because it perpetuates looking at things only from one perspective. As a nation we are watching this unfold now.