Face it, Addison is deeply divided today. It will remain so as long as we allow the political game players in town to believe that there is no penalty for \u201cstoking the fires.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merriam Webster\u2019s definition of divided (adjective)<\/p>\n
1a : separated into parts or pieces\u2026
\n2a : disagreeing with each other : disunited b : directed or moved
\ntoward conflicting interests, states, or objects <divided loyalties>
\n3a : separated by distance\u2026<\/p>\n
By this definition:<\/p>\n
Our country is divided Our state is divided
\nOur county is divided Our town is divided
\nOur neighborhood is divided Our streets are divided
\nOur people are divided Our family is divided
\nDiversity of thought used to be the key strength of our democracy, now it is a terrible, if not fatal, weakness. Americans could count on synergistic results from the debate, in that out of many views often came the best compromise\u2026now we achieve only suboptimal results, in that out of many views comes polarization and cynicism. We no longer talk with others; rather we are content to talk at them. We no longer listen and engage in a dialog with others; rather we perpetuate a monolog in duet. Why? Where is the payoff?<\/p>\n
We play the game by the rules that we have been taught by our society, our culture, our churches, our parents, our media, our schools, as well as our political and economic systems. We have been taught that ours is a \u201cWin-Lose\u201d or Zero-Sum game society with no prizes for second place. There is, however, one significant problem with this game – There are no long term winners! Everyone who plays will ultimately lose\u2026every one of us. As the singer Joe South penned years ago:<\/p>\n
\u201cOh the games people play now
\nEvery night and every day now
\nNever meaning what they say now
\nNever saying what they mean\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Think about it. Who are the \u201cgame players\u201d in town, and what positive impact do they have on our lives. Most are in the game for what they can get out of it for themselves\u2026using others to achieve their objectives. When you are no longer useful to them they will be \u201cgone like the wind.\u201d Do you want to be used by others for their purposes, not yours? I doubt it. Look around, keep your eyes open, and make sure you know the truth. In the meantime:<\/p>\n
Refuse to play the game, and hold accountable those who do.<\/p>\n