Citizens want a return to civility
On Tuesday, my wife, Kathy, grandson Braeden and I walked to at least 14 voting precincts in Boston and talked to many senior citizens, progressives, longtime residents and young citizens from throughout South Boston, downtown Boston and the South End. Before the rain came down in the afternoon, nearly every voting place had long lines of people waiting to vote.
What was most interesting to me was how so many older voters, who are proud Americans, are concerned about the partisanship and political rhetoric and division in America politics today. A question that stood out: Why is there so much hatred of politicians by the media today? It’s difficult to disagree with this point of view when you watch U.S. presidential press conferences and see all the anger and partisanship openly displayed on TV.
Listening to many younger voters patiently waiting in line to vote from the L Street Bathhouse to Cathedral High School, I detected that they were hoping for a more civil and positive dialogue between Democrats and Republicans going forward. I heard more unity between young and old people in these working-class neighborhoods than I have ever heard in the national news. They may have supported different politicians and parties, but they they all agreed that Americans deserve a more civil dialogue once again.
Talking to a nurse on Massachusetts Avenue in the South End while walking home, she said something very interesting to me. “Mayor, I heard you one day telling a story about President Reagan and Speaker Wright of Texas. You told the story of how you met with them at the White House to discuss the homeless crisis in American cities when you were president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.” Yes, national homeless advocate Mitch Snyder and I met with both the president and speaker and told them how homeless people were sleeping in the freezing cold in parks, doorways and subway stations. When they promised to support our legislation for shelters throughout America, it created a safe environment for these unfortunate and desperate citizens. They were compassionate national leaders, but they needed to be briefed about the crisis in America. The first homeless bill was enacted into law.
We have outstanding political leaders in Boston, in Massachusetts and in Washington, D.C., men and women who care and want to do a good job. Yesterday, I heard President Trump and Nancy Pelosi, Republican and Democrat, on national television say that they wanted to work together in a bipartisan, cooperative way for the good of the country. These are the same things I hear Gov. Charlie Baker, Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Karen Spilka and Mayor Marty Walsh saying. Let’s all pray and contact our political officials and let them know that this is exactly how we feel. I feel confident that they will.
I heard these sentiments expressed on the diverse streets and polling places in Boston on Election Day. I’m sure our respected leaders in our nation’s capital hear the same message.