“Times Change ……Common Sense, Does Not.

From the Other Side of the Edge…
Times Change… Common Sense, Does Not.
By Joe Facinoli

Times, in the growth of a nation or a society, will change. Due to necessity, progress, and eventuality.

But as we encounter, and then move through these different times, some things should never change.

Things like Common Standards, by which we measure all our growth,….everyone’s; Common Sense, by which we all should be clearly guided, during these times of growth and change; Common Decency, by which we should all interact with our fellow citizens, nation builders, and time travelers,….always; and Truth, not someone’s opinion of it, but the hard and steadfast version, by which ALL is ultimately measured.

Why is it then, that today, in this marvelous era of instant communication, instant knowledge, and instant gratification, everything, every political discussion, every social debate, every national or cultural disagreement, every, single, thing,…..has to turn into major tactical maneuvers, with all troops, gunships, missiles, and all other conceivable weapons called to the edge of the brink, and with the lever pulled all the way to Code Red and Def Con 5, at even the slightest provocation, or smallest affront to one’s political or social position???

Why is it that politics, which originally only meant a sorting out of public affairs, relevant to our common needs, has come to be defined as having to completely vanquish anyone holding a different opinion, and that the only good and proper solution is a “scorched earth” policy, regarding which should be left of one’s opponent, at the end of any airing of these differences??

Where is Compromise?

Where is the seeing an issue through to what might be the “common good” for all involved? Where is the decency to hear from, and listen to another, and to respect a differing view, which just might contain some part of a solution?

Where is Common Sense??

It’s easy to become disheartened, and discouraged in these times, with the accepted practice of all social, economic, and political interactions having become one that is immediately and totally adversarial, antagonistic, and combative.

It’s very easy to let oneself just walk away, and to disengage from all further thoughts of, or participation in the process, owing to the nature of our disgust for it, which we feel so palpably now.

We often hear a defense for this ugly and dysfunctional political happenstance as being…. “just the way it’s done”, or…. “it’s always been this way”.

But that is just not true.

And it was never intended to be this way, by those who knew better.

George Washington hated politics, and had nothing but disdain for the day to day bickering of the newly created Congress, which he saw as nothing more than jealous and selfish neighbors, fighting over who might fix a common fence post.

General George twice walked away from being made King of America (once after the Brits surrendered to him at Yorktown, and once at the end of his second term as President), because he knew that the future of the fledgling nation, and the “common good” for the cultures within it, would not be served best by his succumbing to what would have been, solely, a selfish, personal need for power.

Try to fit any national leader of today, into that suit of clothes!!! Not a chance.

In fact, the Father of our Country would probably have been considered only suited for a strait jacket, by those in power, and who so easily take power, today!

John Adams, our second President, and who also despised all political machinations, surely gave away a second term by not declaring war on France, who at that time was plundering our shipping, and having their way with our attempts at international trade.

He knew that the “greater good” would be better served by keeping the French as an ally, for a later time. His opponents exploited this as weakness, during the campaign of 1800, but he still would not get involved, in any military actions, nor in any unwise war of words.

Thomas Jefferson defeated him, in one of the most bitter Presidential elections of all time, and then reaped the benefits of Adams’ foreign relations prescience (as did the country) by enticing the Louisiana Purchase from Napoleon, for a song.

Would never have happened if Adams had given in, to the “popular belief” of the time. But he stood by his own “common sense” principles, and did what he thought was right, and best for the new nation. It cost him, and he knew it would, but he did it anyway.

Abraham Lincoln, although very well practiced in the art of politics, using this skill often during his term in office, was nevertheless guided by just one thing: the future of a United States of America, ….and nothing more. He knew what his actions could cost him, but he carried on anyway.

His popularity was strong or non-existent, depending on the geography, but his steadfastness helped him survive several assassination attempts (one even prior to his Presidency), before finally paying the ultimate cost, soon after seeing the fulfillment of his greatest hopes.

Calvin Coolidge, very popular and holding big leads in all the polls at the end of his second term, turned down a chance for a third term, feeling that two was all any person should serve in that office. The graciousness and “common standards” of Washington, shone down upon him.

Harry Truman made three of the toughest decisions to ever confront a President, in the course of his two terms. Using atomic weapons on Japan, to end WWII in the Pacific, then later entering the war in Korea, and finally having to fire the leader of our troops there, the arrogant and insolent Douglas MacArthur.

All were unpopular, or at least controversial.   But he did what he thought was right, knew what it would cost him, and did it anyway.

Dwight Eisenhower warned us harshly of allowing a “military-industrial complex” to develop.    And man, was he ever right!   Although he was leaving office at the time of his now famous speech, he knew that his opinions, which still carried a great and popular weight, would cost his Republican Party dearly, and it did.   His VP, Richard Nixon, lost to JFK that same year.   But he said his piece anyway, because he knew that it was the right thing to do.

Sometimes these men were confronted, and strongly, but all were allowed to do what they believed to be right.   And without the perpetual stalemates and gridlock, and micro-managed political negotiations of today.

Let us somehow return to those more pure, and simpler times. Can we? Let us have a rebirth in leadership, and in “Common Decency” from, and towards, those who lead.

On this Independence Day weekend, I offer a few quotes to put a finer point on these thoughts. They are thematic, but all stand alone,….very well.

Two are from Dutch, one from T.J., one from George, and one each from a TV show, a song, and some other guy (who’s very opinionated).

Enjoy,….and think hard about each one of these:

George Washington said: “There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth, and pursue it steadily.”

Thomas Jefferson said: “Every difference of opinion, is not a difference in principle.”

Ronald Reagan said: “The person who pays an ounce of principle, for a pound of popularity, gets badly cheated.”

A TV show called “The Following” had a wonderful line it that said: “Nothing changes, if nothing changes.”

A “Maroon 5” lyric, in a recent song, says: “It’s not always Rainbows and Butterflies, it’s Compromise that moves us along.”

That “Opinionated Guy” (whose name is at the bottom) says: “If the Constitution is not the answer, then the question is wrong.”

And finally, in the spirit of what this past weekend, and the Fourth of every July should bring, and mean to us, and in tribute and dedication to the original and true strength of this country, and to what we, as a united force, doing the right things, can always and forever achieve, if we choose well, and act with common sense,…..

…..the simple words of our Fortieth President, Mr. Ronald Reagan, spoken at the end of a speech to America on an Independence Day not so long ago, tell us all we need to know, and all we ever have to call upon, in times of change, want, or difficulty:

“WE,…….are Americans!!”

God Bless America.

Joe Facinoli

(Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com )

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