Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
~ Søren Kierkegaard
Someone has said that when we go through difficult times, instead of asking “why is this happening?” we should be asking “what can I learn from this experience?”
So what can we learn from the events that have occurred with the county’s highest level of governance that have caused such consternation? Here’s some thoughts…
- Tolerance in the name of partisan politics is not unconditional. You can be a conservative, or a liberal, or a garden gnome, just be a nice one. Treat people with respect and kindness, even when you disagree on policy and politics.
- A little humility goes a long way. A little self-righteous pride goes even further … in the wrong direction. A genuine apology for bad behavior earns respect. Defensiveness, name-calling, gaslighting, blame-shifting and intimidation do not.
- When you swear to uphold the law as an elected official, that includes Colorado’s “Sunshine Laws.” Those laws, though they lack “teeth” unless someone has the means to litigate a violation, protect the essential right to have public business conducted in a public forum.
- It’s incredibly important to know who we’re electing, no matter the office. Don’t ignore red flags — personally or professionally. They aren’t signs the carnival is coming to town, they’re signs of trouble ahead.
It’s been a rough couple of years on all fronts, and tough times aren’t magically going to disappear, but we can do some housekeeping and come back better for it.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
