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Election day is right around the corner, and we are in the middle of early voting, so this is essentially a stretch where I can’t read Twitter.
(Don’t worry, “stick to sports” guy, there will be a sports take here).
The political landscape in this country is not only divisive, it is dangerous. We have become a society that picks a side and then defends everything it does. Anything I say is right. If you don’t agree with me 100 percent, you are completely wrong. There is no room for anything else.
Let’s be honest here; there is not a politician in the world you agree with 100 percent of the time. If that’s the case, you have a) found a unicorn, b) are lying, c) are too lazy to do any research.
This is not a plea for anyone to vote a certain way (with one exception). This is me begging everyone to actually study the candidates and proposals on the local level, and pick the person that best aligns with what you believe is best for your community as a whole.
There will be many judges on the ballot. These are people who can influence our city on many levels. Take some time to read up on them, learn their credentials and make the choice you think is best. I poll several of my lawyer friends, read up on the candidates and make my decisions that way.
The problem? That takes work. It’s easier to just vote straight ticket and not think. But that’s where we need to start changing.
I have been called everything from a bleeding heart liberal to a right wing gun nut, depending on the issue. And on individual issues? Absolutely, I am one or the other. But is there a real definition for someone who looks at the issues on their merits and then decides where to take a stand based on what is best for all of us? I also try to focus on where I can have a real impact: Local first, state second, national third.
But like a lot of people, I have checked out on politics in general, because we as a society have taken them down a path they were never meant to go. In my mind, politics should be about compromise. I don’t agree with you on everything, but I do on these things. Let’s do them and continue to explore the ones we don’t agree on.
That’s not how it works, though. We are supposed to stake a stand, ignore anyone who disagrees with us, spout hyperbole and belittle the other side. Compromise is weakness. And it doesn’t matter on which extreme of the landscape you sit.
I can be guilty of this, too. Anyone I think is merely parroting one side’s political stances I tend to brand as extremists and ignore what they say. I grew weary of trying to find common ground with them, because there is none. Even if I agree with you 90 percent, that’s never enough.
The reality is that is not an answer, either.
Here is the problem: Political views have been ruined by three key components: Social media, traditional media and sports.
I could write volumes on the first two. But in sports, we pick sides. We support our teams. Our players are better than yours. Our fans are better. You are an idiot or loser if you don’t agree with me. (Or, my personal favorite, ‘looser.’)
In sports, that’s fine. Sports is supposed to be fun. It’s entertainment. It’s an escape. (I told you there was a sports take).
But opinions like that don’t work when we are talking about things that actually matter in our everyday lives. Policies are important. What we discuss shapes our society.
So my plea is simple; let’s start a little at a time by trying to find common ground. By actually looking at what the other person is saying and analyze it without already having our minds made up, issue by issue. Then let’s make the best decision for our community. No, that is not easy. It takes work. But isn’t that better than apathy, and even worse, hyperbole?
If we can’t find that common ground, then it is perfectly acceptable to take a stand for what you believe. In fact, our country was founded on doing just that. But when we are rigid in everything, we accomplish nothing.
I know I am screaming into a wind tunnel here. But if you are still reading, I plan to do just that; take a stand. And I hope I can do it respectfully.
I support Prop B in Houston. The prop will give firefighters equal pay to police. I will start by saying I believe both are criminally underpaid, and we should find other ways to save money than at the expense of these two groups.
But firefighters have not had a raise since 2011. The starting salary is $28,000 a year. At that, a fireman can’t even live in the city he or she is protecting.
Opponents - including Mayor Sylvester Turner - say that passing of the ballot would lead to layoffs and a 30 percent increase in salaries.
Even if that number is accurate, and for the sake of argument we will assume it is, then it would still be less than 5 percent per year for some of the most important people in our community; people who were woefully underpaid to begin with.
Mayor Turner is staunch in his opposition to Prop B. This is where I am supposed to question his motives or intellect. But the truth is, I respect Mayor Turner. I voted for Mayor Turner. He has done a lot in this city I agree with, and some things I disagree with. (Um, about the sex robot brothel ban, Sylvester...sorry, had to inject a little levity).
But I am against him on this one issue. And I am sure there will be others. But that won’t likely stop me from voting for him again.
It’s OK if you agree with the Mayor. In the spirit of fairness, you can (and should) read his take here. I think the city can budget better and make other sacrifices, but I am not the one having to balance all of that.
If you think the public should not be dragged into contract negotiations, I respect that opinion and do not fault it. In fact, in most instances I would agree with you. But I also believe the firefighters have exhausted all possibilities.
And they don’t just fight fires. They pull you out of your car when you are in accident. Their EMTs help you when you are hurt. They are the first responders we deal with most. They risk their lives to save ours. When I had my accident, the first friendly face I saw was HFD. When my former sister in law’s house was struck by lightning in the middle of the night, they were there to put out the fire with lightning bouncing all around them. When I witnessed an accident with a pregnant woman, they calmed her down, pulled her out of the wreckage and got her to the hospital.
I believe they are the backbone of our city and some of the most important people in Houston. And they deserve my support.
And if you choose to vote against it, I understand your opinion. If the public turns it down, I will support them as they find another way to be treated not just fairly, but humanely.
So please, do your own research. Make the best decision for your community and yourself. And I will still respect you either way.
Maybe we can start right there. Was that so hard?
