"ELECTIONS DO HAVE CONSEQUENCES"

As responsibly reported by the Parsons Sun’s July 7, 2022 edition and elsewhere, the Kansas Labette County Primary Election will be held August 2, 2022.  And in spite of overwhelming past and present evidence that elections “do have consequences,” history much more than suggests that responsible voter turnout will likely again be most apathetic.

Yes, history such as the approximate 33 percent of “eligible” U.S. citizens who reportedly chose not to vote in our nation’s 2020 general elections.  Or, a little closer to home: (1.) those among our city of Parsons population of “about” 9,400 or so, who chose to let a total of some 1,074 (771 Yes; 303 No) voters decide the fate of a sales tax issue during a November 2021 election; and (2.) the some 3,071 (68 percent) of the reported 4,506 eligible voters in the 2nd Commission District of Labette County, who chose to let some 1,435 (844 Yes; 591 No) voters determine the outcome of a December 7, 2021 Recall Election.  These of course being but a few from a shameful many of nationwide examples of voter-apathy.

Of course the consequences of our elections are certainly not alone influenced by the level of turnout.  But also by the extent of factually informed and otherwise rational behavior entailed in (or absent from) votes that are cast; overall integrity of our elections processes; and ultimate aims and performance of persons elected; etc.

Hence, throughout our life journey and regardless of what we Americans choose to do with our right to vote, it would seem especially noteworthy that the first three words of our U.S. Constitution read — “We the People.”  Such being a not to be forgotten or marginalized affirmation that our constitutional republic was designed and established to serve its citizens.   And a further validation that it is by way of our elections processes that “We the People” not only voice and duly administer—but also protect and preserve—our U.S. Constitution declared Sovereignty. “Not” sovereignty over “the” government” . . . but rather sovereignty over “our” government!

And, just in case our U.S. Constitution established aims of our government should ever escape our ever-more-distracted and otherwise increasingly challenged minds—the following “first 52 words” (i.e., Preamble) of said Constitution offer us a crucial memory-jog: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”  Truly consequential “life and liberty sustaining” aims . . . too often compromised or otherwise threatened, however, by humankind’s age old shortfalls of ignorance, apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and counter-productive fear.

                                                      —William James Moore

                                         
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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 4 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24, 2022 Edition.]

“RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS”

Being a recipient and/or donor of “wishes for happiness” seems to be a relatively common experience.  However, “how to actually achieve such” appears not so universal.

I first met herein spoken of friend and co-worker many years ago.   An at the time very respectable married lady; blessed with a young son and daughter, and like many parents, proud of them to a fault. 

At work we occasionally shared some self-proclaimed bits of wisdom (or youthful naivety) about life.   And knowing she was stretched rather thin between employment, family, church, social activities, etc., at times I would in jest suggest in her “spare time” she might determine and share the “meaning of life” and “recipe for happiness.” 

If my dear friend ever locked in on the “meaning of life,” I don’t recall her bringing such to my attention. However, what she did do one day was hand me a very special little note she had written which read: “The recipe for Happiness: (1.) Something to do; (2.) Someone to love; (3.) Something to hope for.”

In a most respectful effort to add a bit of perspective to her little note and recipe therein—it was written and shared by a lady whose life-challenges included, but were not limited to—the deaths of her husband and thereafter a most special soul mate; considerable workplace pressures; special single-parent child-rearing challenges; and a life-threatening battle with breast cancer. Throughout which she never seemed to lose her faith, hope, sense of humor, work ethic, or desire to pursue her . . . “Recipe for Happiness.”

Early one morning long ago she died suddenly and unexpectedly, at home, at a relatively young age.  And, knowing her as I did, my bet has always been that—if given the opportunity at the time of passing—her parting thoughts were very likely spiritual in nature and about her children’s wellbeing.

It seems that regardless of the aspects of good or poor health, wealth or poverty, fortune or misfortune, or other life circumstances—some of us will forever consider our glass to be only “half-full,” while others will choose to see theirs as being only “half-empty.”  As we seem to be surrounded by overwhelming evidence that much of what many of us pursue in our respective gift-of-life journeys, falls notably short of being a true and lasting “Recipe for Happiness.”

And, after all is said and done, it is likely that Abraham Lincoln touched upon a universal fact-of-life when he long ago reportedly expressed . . . “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”  

Of course, the merit and wisdom of Abe’s words also come with an often difficult challenge—“making up our minds”—“making the right choices.” 

Nevertheless, our ever so unique human design appears to include a very special tool to aid our doing so . . . a tool we have long ago labeled “free-will.” 

                                                             —William James Moore

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[The above was also included in the Public Mind section on page 4 of the Parsons Sun’s Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, July 09-10, 2022 Edition.]

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[Photo of "Original" Note referenced in "above" writing.]