Resolutions for ‘24
With the turning of the calendar, we read of many periodicals, columnists, and pundits who have suggestions for New Year’s Resolutions. We at the Voice offer our own set of resolutions for public and private residents, those in public life, and those who are not:
Honesty, even when inconvenient, is the best policy – Over the last few years, we have seen those in public life and elsewhere forget what they say matters, and whether they are honest is important. A bit of honesty goes a long way in retaining public trust. We submit the current lack of trust in leadership, locally and nationally, is the inability of those in charge to treat the public as full participants in the process. Whether it was the pandemic and its aftermath, the January 6 riot, and its investigation, or locally with the corruption of local politicians. We found out the truth, when inconvenient is “spun,” or reconfigured to fit a narrative. Indeed, if there is a word that describes the last few years it is “narrative.”
Approach the narrative with respectful skepticism – Politicians and pundits are very quick to set up a narrative and defend it, even when the facts show otherwise. We think of many cases, but Kyle Rittenhouse is most certainly a case in point. The narrative set up about his case was quick and almost devastatingly created an injustice. There are many who still believe him guilty despite incontrovertible evidence. Nicholas Sandmann is another case where the narrative – even after it was refuted – has lived on. Narratives abound with the pandemic as well, and we are finding out those in control were only protecting their ill-gotten gains. Next time a narrative seems too facile, listen, but be skeptical.
Experts are not impeccable; they are just as prone to corruption as anyone – We are most especially talking in this case of Dr. Anthony Fauci. Lionized by the press and politicians we are finding out more this “expert” was and is a criminal who should be prosecuted, along with many who profited from the Wuhan laboratory. This is a case of hubris and greed. Hubris in the belief that he was above criticism and questioning, and greed because of the millions he secured in his investments. The many doctors who fought him, the many nurses who lost their jobs, the many people who had an informed belief he was following the wrong path, have since been vindicated. But he is not the only one. Anytime a person is portrayed as an “expert” find out who is paying them. You will find the opinions they are giving are, often, influenced by who signs the check.
People who disagree with your opinions are not evil – If there is one factor that is eroding the public discourse more than foul language and faux rage. It is the belief that one’s opinions hold the moral high ground, and any opposing view is on its face evil. This is the product of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) propaganda being taught in schools and universities. We hope recent events are the beginning of the end for this pernicious error. The corporate world is finding out the DEI mantra is bad for business, creates mediocrity, and leads to decisions not in the best interest of the stockholders, for whom company boards have a fiduciary responsibility. But the notion that someone’s beliefs rightly spoken are evil on their face is an infantile way of seeing the world. People who advance these ideas should be rightly mocked and called out for what they are: propagandists.
The year 2024 is just upon us, we hope it brings a year of peace in winding down the wars that exist, prosperity in mind, soul and fortune, and happiness to all our readers, advertisers, and friends.