Voices of Reason

Every four years, October becomes a month of tension, anticipation and, yes, anger.
This month, as in election years past, the long, expensive and closely watched presidential campaign is coming to a close.
The stakes are always high and so are emotions.
In this age of the Internet and 24/7 news programming, the political climax can produce anxiety and a plethora of heated words. Not only from the candidates but from their supporters.
Baby Boomers have seen a lot of these political battles come and go. This is a time when we can use our experience, perspective and wisdom to be voices of reason in our homes, families and communities.
It is easy and in these days even commonplace and popular to criticize an opponent with venom. To not give them any benefit of doubt. To characterize them as the second coming of Genghis Khan.
Baby Boomers, we are older now and, hopefully, wiser. This is a time for us to soothe these escalating passions. To cool the rhetoric we have used for much of our lives.
When talking about the candidate or issue you support, speak calmly. Speak with intelligence. Speak with rationality. Admit their faults as you list their virtues.
When talking about a candidate or issue you oppose, speak reasonably. Speak with respect to the other side. Speak with compassion. Acknowledge the opposing view’s strengths while pointing out their weaknesses.
Most of all, be philosophical. People in younger generations can learn a lot from our experience and perspective, but they won’t listen if you are railing against their candidate or trumpeting the side you are on.
These are troubling times. A lot of people, younger ones in particular, are uneasy about the future. Some are downright scared.
Let them know that things will be OK. That we will work our way out of this. It might not be easy and it might take time, but things will shift back to a more normal cadence.
We were scarred by the assassination of President Kennedy, but we soldiered on. The year 1968 was a violent, upsetting, divisive time, but we survived it. The Watergate scandal shook the nation to its foundation, but we learned from it.
Now, more than ever, our country needs voices of reason. Baby Boomers are in a position this October to assume that role.