No More Discussions
By: Jonathan Cring
Tags: Equality, Racial Justice, Politics, Womens Rights, Climate Change

No More Discussions

Photo courtesy of A. P.

In 2020, all of us have been forced to acknowledge the uncomfortable fact that political outcomes can have a stark affect our lives.

And the next few weeks appear to be fraught with monsters set on the destruction of democracy.

But let us pull up our belts of faith, hope and love — and that a new administration will be able to take its seat. And when it does — when they are fully ensconced at the head of the table — I would admonish them to avoid this terrible, horrible, very bad, no-good statement:

“But Not Now”

Everybody knows that the main reason government doesn’t work is that it avoids solutions by replacing them with discussions.

Already we have heard of “studies” being scheduled.

I wish I could tell you that conversing on a given subject brings about change. It does not. It is actually a way to dodge the work of transformation.

The practice of non productivity usually shows up in the form of putting off the action — the word used in the halls of power is “tabling.”

This is not new. This aspect of government was quite evident in our revered forefathers — how else could Adams and Jefferson have been such good friends? Yes, they tabled their issues. And how did they do it? What did they say to themselves?

“Something should be done — but not now.”

Here’s a quick list of some of the issues that received the “but not now” treatment in my memory:

The silly debate over the validity of climate change must immediately be abandoned and replaced with actions that communicate U.S. commitment to saving the planet.

For decades and decades we have knows that women should be equal and have the identical pay scale as men. (“But not now.” )

The minimum wage has never been sufficient for a human to be able to live, eat and prosper. (“Something should be done — but not now. It could wreck the economy.”)

Something should be done for the homeless. Put them to work. Find alternatives to their present condition. (“But not now.”) It is much easier to discuss whether their condition is caused by lack of opportunity or by laziness.

It is obvious that gays and transgenders in our society must have complete equivalence if we want to maintain our concept of liberty and justice for all. (But not now.) We want them to acquire social acceptance before they are granted civil rights.

Political gridlock in our country is the result of a two-party system that gains power by maintaining power. We know we would be better off if this two-faced monster were beheaded, and many more candidates were offered to the electorate. (But not now.) Too disruptive to consider. Someone might lose that power they so enjoy.

Likewise, the electoral college is antiquated and needs to be replaced with the popular vote. (But not now.) What would we do with all the people who make their livelihood by honoring its cumbersome inner workings?

We lack neither the intelligence nor even the integrity to know what to do. Nevertheless, we have historically chosen to be stalled in a lethargic fear of change.

The new Administration should take heed:

Americans are tired of discussions.

We are no longer willing to “table” justice and equality, which have been standing in the wings waiting to play their parts for lo, these many years.

It is time for America to grow up.

Maturity is when the truth of what must be done is more important than what is convenient.