Actions create consequences

Second year edition

Two years ago today I leapt into this column. A guy who I follow on Twitter had launched his own substack, declaring his intention to make it his primary source of income. Just like that. I had (have) never met him, only loosely tracked his piercing commentary, but must confess I found this rather gutsy.

If he could do that, why couldn’t I write for this substack thingy? Uh, what is substack? I guess I will find out. A couple of friends wrote on the platform but I really had no idea what it was. But, I was five months into retirement so I figured some structure to channel my thoughts was a good move.

Probably the easiest things were the title and theme as I fundamentally believe that we underestimate actions creating consequences and I genuinely mourn our lack of measured, civil conversation as a society. I didn’t consider how often to post but it immediately assumed a central role in my life as I thought about all the issues in our world. So here we are.

I have come to rely on this platform to do my tiny bit to bring people together to chat. Some days go much better than others as the platform provides me aggregate statistics on how many people see the columns. I think the single largest number of responses, whether via subscribers who have the privilege to write on the column comment section or people sending me email messages, was on Father’s Day last year. That might have been the topic that took me the longest to write so this response was unsurprising but other topics I have discussed ignited feedback of such incredible value. As I said day before yesterday, I read each and every comment carefully, often returning to assure I really understood the author’s point. But you’d be surprised how delightful it is to know that a topic spurred you the reader to respond in any manner. Thank you.

I never considered Election Day in 2024 when I started this column. I expected Donald Trump to be the nominee for the Republican Party as those who condemned him in January 2021 had already rehabilitated his history to the point I could not see anyone possibly preventing him from heading the ticket. I didn’t think Joe Biden smart to run again as neither he nor Trump is a spring chicken. Okay, I’ll be more blunt: I saw neither as nearly young enough to manage the incredibly demanding pace of this job but the candidates had differing views.

I did not necessarily believe the country would embrace an African-Indian woman but I knew a whole segment of the country wanted a new generation, in every sense. A conversation with my ever listening son told me that thirtysomethings were truly tired of Biden. Any sitting Vice President always has an edge but Harris energized many with her life story, her heritage, and freshness. Many in America simply welcome someone or something new which is certainly part of how her opponent arose to national prominence.

As I said yesterday, I don’t pretend to know how it will go when the votes are all in by the end. I remind everyone of a couple of realities whether you’re still to vote or cast your ballot early as we did.

The candidates we vote into office reflect our individual values. That sounds so obvious but I would offer we seem to forget this reality at times. Elections are not just popularity contests but intentional statements for the future. Magnify that by two hundred million for the world to see who we are and what we advocate for the future.

But voting is just the beginning, folks. Americans focus on voting as the key element of democracy but that isn’t what it really is about. That is a visible part of it but the stress is on part. Democracy in this country is an incredibly complex system of checks and balances, participation and non-participation (like the latter or not), policy proposal-negotiation-compromise-enactment, and the list goes on. Regardless who wins this vote, the implementation of any administration is an extended process.

But it matters to each and every one of us every single day.

The system relies on us, regular people who live in Williamsburg (New York or Virginia) or Buffalo (Missouri, New York, or Wyoming). If Donald Trump did anything, he highlighted the fury of millions of citizens who feel ignored in our country as if they were second or third class. Sure, perhaps those people chose to stay out of the foray or they were forgotten by the “powers that be” which meant politicos in both parties. But, don’t underestimate the importance that we the citizens play in the day to day governance of this place.

I close with three humble suggestions. Take a few moments to appreciate the amazing life we have. Go for a walk, no matter how long today as it’s good for us any day but especially today, before you have a cup of tea. As I said early in this column’s history, tea makes it all ok for the moment you savor it. I will certainly do this because life in the United States, for all its tensions, is rich for the overwhelming majority of us.

Please vote. I am not asking you how you vote because I absolutely believe in your right as a citizen to register your preferences in a secret ballot. Surrendering that precious right makes no sense if you care about the world where you or your successors live.

Under no circumstance use violence or violent rhetoric to describe those whose views differ from your own. Stop it. Violence creates consequences that often spin far beyond anyone’s control.

Thank you for celebrating this column with me today and any day as it’s a privilege to be able to write freely and hear your thoughts. Please circulate this if you find it valuable. Most of all, please send any thoughts my way!

Thank you to those of you who subscribe as I am honored by your financial support. I also appreciate you if this is the only time you’ve come across Actions.

Be well, vote, and be safe. FIN