Are you tired of all the attack ads — she said this, he did that — and you don’t know who to trust? Thankfully in two weeks, all the campaigning will be over and we’ll know whether our candidates won or lost. (Well, I hope at least by the end of the year!)
But what will still remain is mistrust in our government. In 1960, according to the Pew Research Center, 70% of Americans “trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time.” Not surprisingly, that percentage has dropped to 20% in 2022.
There hasn’t been a time when this country was free of cynicism and mistrust of government, demonstrated by these Mark Twain quotes from the late 1880s:
“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”
“Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.”
And from the political wit and entertainer Will Rogers during the 1920s:
“Politics has got so expensive that it takes lots of money to even get beat with nowadays.”
“If you ever injected truth into politics, you have no politics.”
During these times of mistrust and polarization, it is often hard to understand what others are thinking and experiencing, because let’s face it, do we really want to know? We have our news sources and they have theirs; we have our friends with whom we agree and they have theirs, so we see the world through different lenses; ours are clear and focused. Theirs? So scratched and blurry that they can’t see what is actually happening.
So we avoid those difficult political conversations because they’re just too frustrating and stressful. And we keep saying to ourselves, “I just don’t understand what they’re thinking!”
Nationally there is a movement called Braver Angels: The nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. Their vision is an America where there is a respectful embrace of political disagreements, where civic friendship flourishes, and where competing perspectives — whether Red, Blue or Other — work together to strengthen our nation.
The Columbia Gorge Alliance of Braver Angels is working to initiate conversations where the intent is not to change people’s views of issues, but of each other. If you are interested, you are invited to attend the Braver Angels Columbia Gorge Alliance meeting on Thursday, Nov. 7, 6-7:30 p.m. at The Dalles UCC Congregational Church, 111 E. Fifth St. The time will be devoted to discussing local, state, and national election results and to continue efforts to bridge the partisan divide. To learn more, contact the Red-Leaning Co-chair Doug Roof at droof@braverangels.org, or the Blue-Leaning Co-chair Tom Aspitarte at taspitarte@braverangels.org, or visit braverangels.org/oregon.
It may be idealistic to believe we can bridge the political divisions by engaging in heart-felt conversations while listening to those with whom we disagree. But by looking for common ground and ways to work together, we can act to bridge the partisan divide, reduce divisiveness, and strengthen our democratic republic.
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Brain Tease. Which three U.S. states have been merged together in the following letters? C O N E A L H I W J I F E R S O R O N I E Y A
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The actress who played Peter Pan on Broadway in 1954 and also starred in the Broadway productions of South Pacific and Sound of Music was Mary Martin. I received correct answers from Judy Kiser, Nancy Higgins, Donna Mollet, Bruce Johnson, Jim Tindall — who mentioned that Mary Martin was Larry Hagman’s mother — Dave Lutgens, Pat Evenson-Brady, Kim Birge and Jayne Guidinger, this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. And last week I missed Donna Mollet and Rebecca Abrams.
This season’s World Series begins Oct. 25 to determine the champion of “America’s Pastime,” so this week is my annual baseball question. For this week’s “Remember When,” who was the New York Yankees player known as “Mr. October” who in the deciding game of the 1977 World Series hit three straight home runs each off the first pitch? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788, or drop it off with a number 44 New York Yankee jersey.
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Well, it’s been another week, stuffing another quarter in the parking meter of life. Until we meet again, keep a smile on your lips, a bounce in your step, and a little laughter in your voice.
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Nutritious home-delivered and in-person meals are available at noon Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.
Seniors of Mosier Valley (541-980-1157) — Wednesdays with music on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays; Mt. Hood Town Hall (541-308-5997) — Tuesdays; Hood River Valley Adult Center (541-386-2060); Sherman County Senior and Community Center (541-565-3191); The Dalles Meals-on-Wheels (541-298-8333).
For meal sites in Washington, call Klickitat County Senior Services: Goldendale office (509-773-3757) or the White Salmon office (509-493-3068), and in Skamania County call Senior Services (509-427-3990).
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