Cultivating cooperation

A scenic hillside viewed from Cloudland Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Cultivation leads to greater things, and it's the same in gardening as in life. Some conditions make it more difficult, but the task is worth the effort. Better days will come if you tend the soil properly — a concept I saw in action while gardening over the summer.

That concept applies to our politics, as well, and there is much work to do. America's partisan divide has deepened greatly, and it seems no corner of the U.S. is untouched by its impact. Even after the Jan. 6 siege on the U.S. Capitol, Congress remains divided, and perhaps even more so following that tragic day.

Though divisions in the country might have deepened further, it's important to remember another impact from that day: It made working together even more crucial. The bedrock of democracy is civil society, in which people can work together for the common good. Taking steps in that direction is key to the cultivation and very survival of our democratic system. The soil is ready for democracy to flourish when we reach common ground and collaborate successfully.

The resolve to do this will be tested quickly in the new administration. On Thursday, President-elect Joe Biden announced his American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion proposal that includes $1 trillion in direct relief to Americans, as well as funding for a national vaccination plan, efforts to contain COVID-19, and relief for communities and businesses. There were no specifics on timing, but Biden has noted all of these as top priorities.

The Biden team faces the challenge of working through critical priorities at the same time as an impeachment trial in the Senate — which could be a difficult test for any bipartisan efforts going through Congress. However, we still must build and sustain those efforts. As the bipartisan momentum behind the latest COVID-19 relief bill showed, there are lawmakers willing to strike a balance and compromise.

As we know, however, the work of cultivating democracy is larger than what happens in Congress. Forging positive connections and finding common ground is very important outside of those chambers. That looks like a steep hill to climb right now, as tensions are high and people appear far apart on big issues. But we have to try to take the necessary steps toward a stronger, more unified America, though progress may be slow at first.

Like cultivating the soil, there are days which feel longer than others, times when it's simply harder to move forward. But forward is the only direction to pursue. We must continue this process, and imbue the soil of our society with love, compassion and empathy. Together, our steps will lead us on to a better place, a stronger democracy, where our best work is done because we care for each other and we truly understand we are one people. Let each of us plant a seed of cooperation and reap the harvest of the greater good.

— Gareth Henderson

Looking toward the light

The sun shines across Route 4 in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Shaken to the core. That's a good way to describe how many felt when democracy was threatened at the U.S. Capitol this week, but as we know, democracy prevailed some hours later.

Still, after that crucial electoral victory was confirmed, the impact of that historic day persists, and does not relent. People remain shaken, and it's a struggle to handle the lingering fears and doubts. A Capitol desecrated, five people dead after the riot, and the world watching as a mob invaded the building - these are things that used to be unimaginable. Now, an effort is underway to impeach a sitting president, for the second time in his first term in office. A House vote on that could come as soon as the middle of next week, news outlets reported Friday.

Wednesday's chaos dealt a body blow to democracy in the U.S., and our political divisions seem as rife as ever. But even as this historic week comes to a close and so many questions linger, there remains certainty. That certainty involves other moments from Wednesday, that show our common humanity and prove that something beyond the turmoil is at work.

On the PBS NewsHour on Friday, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn (D-South Carolina), the House majority whip, described one of those moments, when asked to point out his most enduring memory from that day.

"My most enduring memory would be the conversations I saw taking place between (Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi and (Senate Majority Leader) Mitch McConnell when we were bunkered down," Clyburn said. "I saw how the government ought to work: Nancy and Mitch coming together, saying what we needed to do to get back to the Capitol, to get back on the floor, and continue doing what's necessary to have a peaceful transfer of power."

Sometimes out of dark days, come shining examples of our greatest qualities. On Wednesday and into Thursday morning, Congress completed its lawful work, with peaceful debate and a commitment to upholding the rule of law, together, as one people. After four years where meaningful, bipartisan action has been rare in Congress, this could potentially encourage more such collaboration. It could be the moment that awakens leaders and citizens to the true value of working together to get meaningful things done, while letting our common humanity light the way.

We each have a role in upholding that value, and the past year showed we are equal to that task. Many times while dealing with the impact of the pandemic, we showed an infinite capacity to love our neighbors and help others. We learned up front, that there is much more that unites us, than divides us. And going forward, we can use that common goodness to take steps forward, together. Now is the time to take that resolve and commitment into 2021.

— Gareth Henderson

Out of unrest, democracy rises

Sun shines through the woods along River Road in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The U.S. Congress showed the world that although the U.S. Capitol was overrun on Wednesday, democracy was forging ahead.

Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were confirmed as the next president and vice president of the United States, as lawmakers finished counting the electoral votes at nearly 3:30 a.m. Thursday. The process began early Wednesday afternoon, but protesters supporting President Donald Trump (R) eventually stormed the building, and Congress members, staff and journalists were evacuated from the chambers.

The Capitol was secured by early evening, and Congress was prepared to take that fundamental, last step toward completing the electoral process. However, that long step was more than just a completion of a process. It answered the call of many people who were weary after the Wednesday's unrest, and thirsting for a sense of shared, common humanity.

By virtue of lawmakers' firm resolve and under law enforcement's protection, the will of the people was preserved. Democracy was protected. Next, we must restore it. We must make it last, and that comes only through working with each other to support its honorable higher ideals. That work is underway, and it begins with vigilance, to make sure the underpinnings of democracy remain intact. That's a concept Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black spoke of in his closing prayer at the end of the historic joint session Thursday.

"We have been warned that eternal vigilance continues to be freedom's price," he said.

Black continued, "Lord, you have helped us remember that we need to see in each other a common humanity that reflects your image. ... Use us to bring healing and unity to our hurting and divided nation and world."

To heal, unify and restore our democracy is the greatest task before this country. After being sworn in for a new term in office this week, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican who has long opposed Trump, spoke of that fundamental need and lamented Wednesday's events in D.C.

"It ... shows just how divided our country has become and how desperately we need to heal and be united once again," he said. "Because we simply can’t go on like this any longer, and as elected officials, we all have a responsibility to step up and show the way."

The moment the electoral process was behind us, that way became clearer. That act dispelled some of the fog that had gathered in democracy's path, and it was the first step toward restoring hope that had been shaken.

To be clear, many, many steps remain to even sustain that hope over the long term. But meanwhile, in the short term, we forge ahead. We put one foot down, then the other, and we walk this journey. It will still feature many foggy, uncertain paths. Some may frighten us. But if we all "step up" to walk that journey together, we can make progress knowing we have each other's support, and the ability to rally around the cause of democracy. Together, we can oppose and defeat anything that would threaten our resolve. As we have already proven this week, even in the face of severe challenges, democracy rises, and justice overcomes.

— Gareth Henderson

Democracy holding strong

An American flag on the Fourth of July in Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

After a day of unrest on the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington, D.C., just seeing Congress resume the presidential electoral vote count Wednesday night was reassuring in and of itself.

But it was also heartening to see our better angels show themselves in some of the comments heard in both chambers. In one example, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, said we need to show our kids Wednesday's chaos was not what America is.

"There's a lot that's broken in this country, but not anything that's so big that the American people can't rebuild it," he said.

This and other comments like it were signs of hope from a place people haven't looked for much hope lately: Congress. But a process that had ground to a halt when Congress was evacuated earlier in the day had resumed, and our democracy may find itself reinvigorated in the end. That's because our democratic institutions are standing firm amid headwinds, just as they did throughout the November election and all the legal challenges that followed.

This process is widely expected to end with Congress completing this process, and confirming Joe Biden as the next U.S. president. Biden has repeatedly pledged to work with his fellow Democrats and Republicans alike to accomplish major legislative goals. But that starts with some basics, as Biden referred to in a speech to the American people Wednesday.

"The work of the moment and the work of the next four years must be the restoration of democracy, of decency, honor, respect, the rule of law, just plain, simple decency," Biden said.

Those qualities were surely expressed in Congress after proceedings resumed. In all, even though some objections were heard to several state's electoral votes, the strength of our institutions was on display and holding firm. Under pressure, our democracy rebounded and resolutely continued the people's business. After a day like Wednesday, that much should give us hope.

— Gareth Henderson

Our veterans and their unwavering service

Members of the Ora E. Paul American Legion Post No. 24 march through Woodstock, Vermont, on Wednesday, on their way to take part in a Veterans Day Service in front of the courthouse. (Susan Ford Photo)

Today, many Americans are concerned about the future of the country, and at this important moment, Wednesday brought a time to remember our veterans — and a time of reflection.

In 2020, Veterans Day gave us a chance to step back and honor these heroes and the democracy they defended. Most importantly, we reflected on the innumerable sacrifices they made to protect our freedom. We have the deepest gratitude for all they've done. Their service is a tremendous source of inspiration and honor that underpins our national identity, and they exemplify dedication to a country and its people.

They fought "to secure, protect and advance the ideals on which our nation was founded," Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement on Wednesday. The work of our veterans reminds us that it takes action to defend those ideals.

“Today, it’s important for all of us to remember that those principles — life, liberty, equality, democracy and justice — have never been guaranteed, " Scott said. "Instead they’ve been hard won by those we’re honoring today, through the selfless acts of heroism and the day-to-day efforts of America’s veterans."

Those lessons from our veterans are particularly instructive today, as our union struggles under the weight of political strife.

“As we honor them today, let’s remember what patriotism truly looks like; let’s use their example to unite our nation in this time of deep division; and let’s do all we can to live up to their sacrifice, their service and their unwavering commitment to freedom," Scott said. 

The key part of that call for unity is the word "unwavering". No concept could better describe the dedication of our veterans. Today, it's more important than ever that we all embrace opportunities to build unity, with that same unwavering, courageous commitment. 

We each have a role to play in the process of overcoming the political divisions pushing at the core of our democracy. In local communities, we can take steps to start those conversations and keep them going in a compassionate, productive way which helps society. Let's strive to understand each other better and build bridges to meaningful solutions. Some days it may seem impossible, but our veterans have certainly accomplished goals that, at one time, appeared impossible. Today, our country needs us. 

— Gareth Henderson

Reasons for hope

An American flag flies in Woodstock, Vermont, on the Fourth of July. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Even with all the tension in the world today, the thing that gives U.S. Rep. Peter Welch the most hope is seeing Vermonters help Vermonters.

For example, there are 1,300 volunteers working with local agencies in Franklin County to get meals to people in need, Welch said Thursday, speaking during a “Future of Democracy” panel hosted by the Cornell Institute of Politics and Global Affairs. Responding to questions from listeners, panelists noted the importance of taking action at the local level to build the unity the country needs. 

“That community engagement, it's there, and it gives me great hope," Welch said. 

Vermont’s lone congressman joined U.S. House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff, of California; former U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, of Tennessee; and the former U.S. Ambassador to India, Tim Roemer, of Indiana; for the discussion led by former U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, of New York, on behalf of Cornell University. 

Concern about the vote was a major theme, and Wamp and Roemer spoke about the organization they helped form, the National Council on Election Integrity. It’s “a bipartisan group of political, government, and civic leaders united around protecting the integrity of our elections,” according to its website, counteveryvote.org. Wamp, a Republican, and Roemer, a Democrat, put their longstanding working relationship to good use for this new organization, just as they did when they served in Congress together. 

“Zach and I have a lot of disagreements on policy ... but one thing we will go to the mat on, and fight for our lives on, is the right to vote and to count every vote," Roemer said.  

He said the National Council on Election Integrity encourages patience while the votes are counted, staying peaceful as a nation, and allowing Constitutional processes to take place. The group plans a robust advertising campaign in the days following Nov. 3 to encourage these principles. 

Part of this effort is encouraging people to get behind civility and societal norms that have been tossed aside in recent years. Wamp said the divisive impact of big money in politics, most notable now in negative campaign ads, must be dealt with after the election passes. 

“Our republic unravels if we do not have a set of norms and values that we all respect,” he said. 

Those norms and values have been further challenged through the realm of social media, where misinformation has spread out into the larger society, faster than ever before. This has led Welch to ask whether some federal regulatory oversight is needed for social media companies. He noted it’s tougher than ever to have an actual debate within the bounds of fact. The pandemic has been an example of that, he pointed out, with some people distrusting confirmed scientific information.

“We find ourselves in the public sphere really arguing about conspiracy theories,” Welch said, citing the growing “sewer of misinformation.” He added, “There really is a business model that amplifies that: more hits, more advertising revenue.”

He acknowledged a regulatory debate in that realm would be a difficult one.

“Once you get into a free speech question, it's very fraught, but what we have to ask is, how do we deal with the social media equivalent of yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater?” Welch said. “You can't do that in real life, but on social media you can.”

Schiff said many more people get their information from social media now, and “fear, anger and lies travel far faster than truth.” 

“It’s lit a fire of xenophobic nationalism around the world,” Schiff said. 

Welch also noted the importance of addressing the economic inequality issues that have become ingrained in our institutions. 

“Those are issues that affect you whether you're in a red state or a blue state," he said. 

Responding to an audience question about building unity in the U.S., Schiff said an important part of the solution is getting people together in local communities to build civility, support civic education, and bridge the partisan divide. He said “neighbor-to-neighbor” solutions are important, along with larger-scale approaches. 

“I think we’ll need a strong grassroots approach to healing as well,” Schiff said. 

He sees a lot of potential for that across the country, with Americans willing to withstand some very long lines to vote early in this pivotal election.

“They're determined to overcome any difficulty and make sure their voice is heard, and that gives me a lot of optimism,” Schiff said. 

Healing is the correct word for what the U.S. needs, and the panelists were clear on the importance of the community’s role in resolving partisan divides. Bridging those differences must be at the heart of solutions to all issues facing the country. That approach helps ensure long-term collaboration for the good of the nation, but it starts at the local level. For example, community-based initiatives can facilitate communication between people who may disagree with each other politically, but they each have a wonderful, shared desire to help their community thrive. Those opportunities give people a chance to find common ground, build relationships, and, in turn, help the country become a little more unified. That’s when real change takes root.

— Gareth Henderson