Ripped Fabrix

I heard David Brooks, New York Times columnist, speak last week. He’s been on a tour of heavy Trump-voting districts after spending the better part of 18 months assuring us all that Republicans could not and would not nominate, let alone elect, Donald Trump.  Oops. Did he get that wrong. 

So he’s been on quest to  understand more and one of his main take-aways is that something fundamental has happened to the social fabric in this country. Something serious but not unrepairable. 

He started with the economics–from about 1950-2000 our economy grew at an average of 2.3% per year. Since 2000, it’s only grown >1%.  Although unemployment is down, the labor rate or the percentage of working age people working hovers at 62%, the lowest in 20 years or so.  We’ve all heard about the numbers of people not searching for a job because they have left the workforce permanently. What does this mean?  He contends and I agree that working, making a contribution to society and the dignity and status that gives you delivers much more than just money to an individual.  It insures you have a place in the world. You are a part of something bigger than yourself.  You are tethered. You matter. 

Without that tangible link, well, bad things happen starting with watching an average of 2000 hours/year of TV (yes, a full time job’s worth). Then comes the alcohol, opioids, obesity and other mental and physical health maladies that further isolate people. 

The social fabric we’ve built our country on has ripped and while we weren’t even watching. There are some staggering and sobering figures around this– only 18% of us trust our neighbors, more than 50% believe that life will not be better for their kids than it was for us. For a country built on high ideals and optimism more than anything else, that’s troubling. 

So what’s the solution. Let’s get out our sewing kit and start putting this sucker back together. Brooks challenge to our crowd was to invest ourselves in our communities, reach out the hand first and start repairing what has been ripped. A think global, act local for really making America great again. 

Maybe that appeals too much to this liberal elitist but it’s something tangible I can do. And I desperately feel the need to do something.  

So I’ve gotten into action to volunteer for a smart mobility project I’m interest in here and I’ve reached out to start tutoring  at a family shelter nearby. Small steps to be sure, but I always feel better in action. 

It may be slow and subtle, but helping people is never a waste of time. What can you do?  Drop me a note and let me know what you are willing to do. 

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