Last night, my neighbors got together for an annual event at our local park our neighborhood association, a local church, and the city's parks and recreation department throws. We had over 120 people come with their kids and we ate hot dogs and hamburgers, hung out, and genuinely enjoyed the pleasure of each other's company.
Sometimes in the fray of politics and social activism I lose sight of "we, the people" because of the tensions that politics and issues create. However, I never lose faith that "we, the people" are going to be all right. Democracy, despite its imperfections, works.
When Tip O'Neill said that all politics are local, he must of been referring to events like last night. Good people wanting no more than to enjoy a night with people they know or want to know. Because a simple truth about all of us is we want to know we'll be okay. No matter how complicated the issues or conflicts may be, we all want to live in a good neighborhood.
Every issue has more tan one side, it is true, but it is the philosophy we take when we sit across the table from our adversaries that makes the difference between a "winner take all" conclusion or a result to which we all can agree occurs. Robert Frost said "Good walls make good neighbors," but in my realm of experience, breaking down walls is the better road.
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