Beth Allgood, January 20, 2021
As we started 2021 we hoped the difficulties of 2020 would miraculously be behind us. But as the New Year dawns with the greatest crisis American democracy has faced in 150 years, it is clear that there are deep divisions between people in America.
Today, Inauguration Day, marks a new beginning. We are at the start of a new presidency, a new Congress, and a new year. We can move forward as one nation, improve our current systems, and make them work well for everybody. The multiple crises we are facing are painful, and they call us to reflect on where our systems are failing – and how we can do better. It is time we reassess what really matters to us as Americans, and build upon the common elements that unite us to promote happiness and well-being.
Although Americans seem deeply divided in our beliefs, in fact most of us value similar things. We value family, a sense of belonging, enough money to meet our needs and feel secure about the future, good health and safety for ourselves and our families, and a sense of community. We want a sense of purpose and to make fair wages for our work. We want our children to have a good education and to have hope for the future, and we want a transparent government we can trust to provide the services we need. Many of us also share a sense of peace and wonder when we are in nature. We value wildlife – and we want to make sure wild places and animals are still around, protected and thriving, for our grandchildren to see and enjoy.
Our government (local, state and federal) is not a neutral player in creating the conditions that allow us to attain the things we truly value. Government policies can support well-being and happiness, or they can exacerbate division and dissatisfaction. Today, as we start this new chapter in our American story, we can begin the shift from division and short-term thinking and focus on reaching understanding and finding common ground. Then let us move forward together to create policies and practices that heal the old story of America and create a new one, in which we live happily, together.