Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. -Eleanor Roosevelt
My children, I said this many decades past with several things in mind. The race for the Massachusetts 5th Middlesex State Senate District brought this quote of mine to my mind as I have watched the sundry candidates jockeying for Katherine Clark’s seat on Beacon Hill. Of course, Katherine is one of my progeny: a progressive who believes that not only do chosen policies matter, civility and humanity matter, and at all times.
As I look down upon this one of the innumerable battles being waged in our still-great, in fact, far greater land of America than she was than in my day of Jim Crow, homosexual persons in prisons, and women still slouching out of chatteldom, I cannot but be reminded of that point about civility, decency, and humanity.
For one state representative has distorted the religious and political history of another, who is a decent man.
Only one candidate, Anthony Guardia, has disciplined himself to raise the arc of progress further in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by consistently focusing on ideas.
I say this, my children, because I made that above statement about average minds for one reason in particular: one can indeed foretell a future public servant’s conduct by her behavior while on the campaign trail.
Just look at your contemporary in New Jersey, Chris Christie. Is it not the case that in his first run for public office he lied about his opponent in the eleventh hour when it would have been impossible for his opponent to respond? Well, my friends, look at him now. Continuing to combine a rather muddy politic with a guttural jibber. He is disrespecting the intelligence of the voter. One can do this and win. One cannot do this and ultimately raise the arc of progress in a manner that will elevate our democracy.
May the goddesses bless Mr. Guardia . I have done what I can in providing him with a snow maelstrom for the election.
Young Guardia has aptly demonstrated his ability to act to prevent human misery in his beneficent acts housing the vulnerable homeless among you. I therefore reiterate the following:
When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it? “My Day,” February 16, 1946.
Signed,
My Enduring Liberal Spirit, on this 28th day of February, 2014.
Eleanor Roosevelt
afertig says
Is this you?