One of my earliest memories is the funeral of President Kennedy. A
few months later, after the Beatles played the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964,
American’s trust that their government would “do what is right just about
always/ most of the time,” peaked at 77%. Since then, according to PEW
Research, it has slid to a paltry 20%. While confidence rose under Reagan and
Clinton, today, left leaning political moderates are the most trustful of their
government (32%) while conservatives bottom out at 7%.
Robert Putnam’s landmark study, ‘Bowling Alone’ documented how, over the past 72 years, Americans
have become increasingly isolated and, consequently, less trusting of
government, society, and each other. He argues that the lack of social
engagement has created a crisis of trust and declining civic engagement.
Since 1995, Undergraduates at Bellevue University have taken a
course on citizenship and founding principles. Today, the Kirkpatrick Signature
Series helps over 2,000 students a year learn about their government and the importance
of engaged citizenship.
No, I'll
stand my ground: I won't be turned around. And I'll keep this world from
draggin' me down, but I won’t back down.
In 2016, a small group got together to implement Putnam’s ideas by
forming The Omaha Free Speech Society. By bringing people together to discuss
important political and social issues, we got to know our neighbors, practice
verbalizing complex ideas, rebuild trust, and share coffee and donuts. The
group is older, predominately white, and politically moderate. We would welcome,
and be better served by, any facet of diversity
With more than 500 online members and approximately 75 regular
attenders, the group recently gathered to start its seventh year. To mark the
occasion, small groups explored the question, ‘What are the top 3 concerns that
government actually could and should address over the next two years?’ Using
a caucus style format, the membership ranked education, immigration, and Dark
Money as the top issues.
Well, I
won't back down. You could stand me up at the gates of Hell, but I won't back
down.
Local businessman, Jeremy Aspen argued that K-12 education needs
to move from STEM to STEAM (science, technology, arts, engineering and math).
“As technology progresses, we need more creative thinkers” opined Aspen. Don
Frey M.D. added, “With instantaneous access to facts, student’s need to learn
critical thinking so they can synthesize ideas and make good decisions.” Noting
that earlier in the week, four Nebraska School District Superintendents had resigned,
Susan Laughlin discussed the challenging environment for teachers and
administrators. “Public educators went from dealing with COVID and learning to
teach online to becoming the targets of unfair criticism from overly aggressive
parents.”
In regard to immigration, “Things are mess on the border. I don’t
know how (immigration) can be managed when neither party seems willing to sit
down and discuss solutions,” said one guest. While issue gridlock plays well
among partisans, sensible immigration laws addressing economic and security
concerns would benefit all Americans.
Well, I
know what's right: I got just one life. In a world that keeps on pushin' me
around, I'll stand my ground. And I won't back down
Finally, the lack of transparency in governance was discussed. Concerns
ranged from one members concern about, “the 2023 Cornhusker Kick Back” to the
negative influences of (dark) money in politics. Many felt money allowed a
select few to raise the financial and emotional costs of politics thereby pricing
otherwise viable candidates and ideas out of office. The previous month,
Congressman Bacon’s Campaign Manager Derek Oden and Mike Forsyth of Common Cause
Nebraska discussed the 2022 midterm election. Tracy Zaiss led a discussion
which was heavily critical of negative campaign ads and anonymous PAC money.
Hey
baby, there ain't no easy way out. But I won't back down (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers)
The Free Speech Society may or may not successfully chip away at
some of the problems facing America but it’s one of many attempts to mold a
better world for future generations. It also beckons those seeking healthy
bipartisan discussions.
Perhaps, if we griped less, trusted more, listened, and followed
the lead of America’s Greatest Generation by rolling up our sleeves, we could
make progress when, seemingly, so many want America’s model of self-governance to
fail. As Coach Monlux tells his top ranked Bellevue University baseball
players, “Don’t stop believing.” Indeed, don’t stop.