EDITOR’S NOTE: There’s been lots of talk about the lack of “civics education” that a lot of people don’t even really know how our government structures operate and serve us, or how to be good citizens. Jim’s been doing LOTS of thinking about this, and has been inspired by Eric Liu’s book “Become America” and a series of “Civic Sermons.” Jim is hosting a series of “Civic Saturdays”, starting Saturday January 4th. See the Zoom link below.
By Jim Heffernan
I’ve been thinking a lot about filters and “civic religion” lately. I can’t help myself.
The filters I’ve been thinking about are the filters we equip ourselves with that insulate our true selves and allow us to present ourselves as “normal” people to people we meet.
I’ve always had something of a rebellious streak that’s caused me to pick at those filters. The bumpy road of life hasn’t helped. I’ve reached a point where all the filters are shattered. I “yam what I yam”.
My latest fervent cause is “civic religion”. I am convinced that our democracy and our welfare are in a state of steady decline because we neglect our duties as citizens.
I’ve adopted the “creed” of Eric Liu. I invite all to attend my “civic Saturdays” to listen to his “sermons” and become “sworn-again citizens”.
It won’t be easy, but I do think it is doable. The alternative is to stand aside and watch our well-being erode day by day because we’re too feckless to resist the billionaire class that wants it that way.
I have a list of demands I would like to nail to a door somewhere and it goes like this:
- We want to live in a place guided by empathy, respect, justice, generosity, courage, fun and love.
- We want to live in a place governed by judgments that are honestly made, supported by evidence, accountable and
- We want to live in a place in which everyone’s needs are met, without harming the living world or the prosperity of future
- We want to live in a place in which the fruits of the work we do and the resources we use are fairly and widely distributed, in which shared prosperity is a general project, and the purpose of economic life is to enable universal well
- We want to live in a place in which all people have equal rights, in practice as well as in theory.
- We want to live in a place in which all people can feel secure, confident, safe and cared
- We want to live in a place in which, regardless of where they were born, everyone has a neighborhood of which they feel proud, where they can freely participate in the life of the
- We want to live in a place which, proudly and consistently, supports people in need of help, including those fleeing from danger and persecution abroad.
- We want to live in a place in which a thriving natural world provides a refuge both for rich and abundant wildlife and for people seeking relief from the clamor of daily
- We want to live in a place whose political system is fair and fully representative, in which everyone has a voice and every vote counts, and whose outcomes can neither be bought nor otherwise engineered.
- We want to live in a place in which decisions are taken at the most appropriate level, to enhance democratic participation and connection.
- We want to live in a place in which everyone has access to the information needed to make meaningful democratic choices, and in which political debate is honest, accessible and inclusive.
- We want to live in a place in which education is a joyful process, encouraging children of all abilities to engage with enthusiasm, and adults to continue learning throughout their lives.
- We want to live in a place in which good housing, fast and effective healthcare and a healthy, sufficient diet are available to everyone.
- We want to live in a place that helps to build a safe, prosperous and resilient community of nations
- We want to live in a place that is open to new ideas and information, and that values creativity, research and discovery.
I would be so proud if I had come up with that list on my own. I stole it from somewhere and I don’t remember where. Google won’t tell me.
It is my hope to make it happen. I may be a foolish Pollyanna. In the hope of making this happen, I will be holding civic Saturdays on zoom where we can listen to a 30 minute sermon from Eric Liu and see where it takes us. The sermons are delivered by him and are from his book “Become America” and the first sermon is from November 8, 2016, just after Trump’s first election. The sermons are not partisan, but they are highly moral. The first sermon moved me deeply and eased my pain.
Let’s start the New Year off with “Civic Saturdays” on Jan. 4th, 2025.
Here’s the invite link to the zoom meetings, the first one is on Jan. 4th, 2025 and starts at 10 A.M. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85949716562?pwd=wnKsmKP5FqXWC0koI3p7HddpxNXy6x.1
As always, discussion welcome at codger817@gmail.com