PROGRESSIVE VIEWS
The TV show “West Wing” ran from 1999 to 2006. Martin Sheen played Democratic President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet. When it first came on, many folks thought it would be a flop, but it turned out to be great.
Sandy and I are re-watching the series now and enjoying it very much. There were 154 episodes of the award- winning series. The Bartlet character was a Nobel Prize-winning economist who at times could be a bit full of himself. Bartlet also listened to all sides of an argument when making decisions and often admitted he was not infallible. He loved his wife and daughters, giving them great respect.
The episodes where his daughter Zoey is kidnapped remain some of my favorites. The vice president had resigned in disgrace, so when Bartlet chose to temporarily step aside, while the FBI searched for Zoey, the Republican Speaker of the House became President.
It all ends happily when the FBI finds Zoey and the speaker, played by one of my favorite actors, John Goodman, returns power to Bartlet.
There was also a government shutdown episode and one involving the Gaza Strip. In the shutdown episode, wisdom prevails and the situation is resolved by compromise as both parties cared more about the welfare of American people than winning.
Many of the issues that confronted Bartlet are still relevant — the Middle East, Russia and China, poverty, gun rights, race relations and sex scandals, to name a few.
It was fiction for sure, but wouldn’t it be neat if we had another Jed Bartlet to unify us and leaders who demonstrate goodness and grace, two traits that I believe are still to be valued.
Two essential elements for a democracy to function are civility and truth. We all must learn to listen to divergent views. We should try to understand the basis for another’s opinions. We must present our views in a civil fashion and most importantly both sides must ground their arguments in facts.
I try not to be a highly partisan person. I admire many conservatives because they are kind, support working folks and want less fortunate people to have a little help. Most of all, I believe kindness and caring for others will bring meaning to one’s life.
As a member of “Braver Angels” (along with over 15,000 others from all political perspectives), I believe we must come together. The name comes from Lincoln’s “Better Angels” passage in his 1861 inaugural address which remains fitting today: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies ... every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
Braver Angels is the nation’s largest volunteer- led movement trying to bridge the partisan divide and find an alternative to toxic politics. Braver Angel’s “American Hope” campaign is equipping Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand that our politicians do the same. They have held over 5,000 events, involving more than 67,000 participants, and my fingers are crossed that it will make a difference.
They also are working to restore trust in our elections. There is no evidence that our elections aren’t the fairest and most secure in the world; but there is so much negative voting propaganda that some folks express concern.
As a result of numerous bipartisan workshops, Braver Angels developed these principles: Voting should be easy. Cheating should be hard. Every citizen should have an equal say in who will govern them; this is done through free and fair elections. The American government will fail if candidates refuse to accept any outcome other than victory.
We should all be proud of Kendall County’s excellent elections office that continues to ensure that we have secure elections.
I look forward to the day we get back to the norms and values that make our system work. Moderates must stand up to extremists no matter their party. Let’s all work to end the hostility that threatens our democracy.
To learn more, check out the Kendall County Democratic Party website: kcdems.us
Kevin Henning is a local Democrat
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