Matters 10

Conclusion

What truly matters to us is important. These last several days I have posted a series of 9 blogs which explored the whole and the details of this topic. I found myself needing to explore what matters to me because so much of what is happening in life is alien to my philosophy and value system. It is also alien to most of our philosophy and value system. I’m sure there are those who disagree with me, and you on this. But there it is, anyway, matters that are important to you and I simply do not resonate with others in the same manner.

I’m also certain that much of what we agree with that matters they agree with, too. It’s just that they have exceptions in some items. Strange that this would be so when all of life appears to be so interconnected. How can some of us find value in similar things and yet be so different in others?

And that is precisely what governance deals with all the time.

When I worked for the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Dean and I wrestled with an odd case in which a student was clearly odd and demonstrated very odd behavior.  We did not know if he was a danger to himself or others. Or both. So, we developed a policy that would protect him, protect others, and safeguard the campus as a whole. Try doing that. It is much more difficult than it seems at first sight.

We succeeded but the journey we took was arduous and complicated precisely because we were addressing the needs of several populations simultaneously. The needs were different and conflicting with the others. Doing justice to each at the same time was nearly impossible. We learned that lesson dearly. You will as well if and when you are asked to attempt the same.

Of course, the work is easy if you take a contrarian point of view and serve only it. But the other points of view will make their voices heard.  The current White House is doing just that, and the noise is incessant. We all see that. And hear it!

But working for the common good is exactly what governance is all about. We are all citizens and taxpayers. Working together makes us bigger than government itself. And that’s where the power and right belong. Government does not work without the consent of the governed. Some people forget this central point.

Evidently The Donald has.

September 26, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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