Many Different Voices

Not only intellectually, but viscerally, this year's gift is that there are many different voices. The many voices with their deep-seated sources and implications; how to understand and handle them at the individual level and with the collective/political perspective are important part of being a contributing citizen.

This presidential election cycle is presenting diverse voices and characters. It is also raising many interesting and serious issues that we, as the informed citizens, should be aware of and analyze/discuss to have a better grasp of the whole picture.

Most people agree that there are a few trends in the U.S.A. which are the sources of the state of U.S.A., now. Economic strain, demographic shift, and cultural change are cited most. I'd like to quote Ron Brownstein who writes for "The Atlantic" and "National Journal," specializing in the demographics of the nation's politics. The following is what he said in the PBS Newshour, on Tuesday, 12/815. "We're already having a really volatile debate on American Identity even before Paris. And I think there were two things that were contributing to that, first, economic strain. We're 15 years now when the median income is lower than it was in 2000, a period of stagnation that is almost unprecedented in American history. Second, we are living through the most - while that is happening, profound demographic change through the turn of the 20th century. We see these milestones falling one after the other. A majority of our public school students are now non-white. A majority of our 0-5 population is now non-white."

The debate on American Identity, economic strain/income inequality, demographic shift, cultural change are the interesting, serious, and challenging issues, and, as it turns out, with many different voices.

Another quote, this time from The New York Times, 12/10/15, under the caption of 'To Hillary Clinton Donald Trump Is No Longer a Laughing Matter.' "But since Mr. Trump's response to Dec.2 terrorist attacks in San Bernadino, Calif., Mrs. Clinton and her campaign, confounded by his continued strength in the polls, have had to rethink how they handle Mr. Trump and what his candidacy, and the anger in the electorate that has fueled it, means for her chances in 2016." Understandable politician's response, but, at the same time, the question of what is the true leadership comes to mind and, with it, Bill Clinton's triangulation.

From the Donald to Feel the Bern, many different voices, indeed. To be a contributing and confident citizen we have to understand why there are genuinely different voices, respect the voices, and learn to live with them. It is much more difficult said than done, but, try we must for the better future.