Awakened in the middle of the night by people shooting off fireworks, I reached for an old magazine – well, only a year and a half old. Comparing the Covid-19 vaccine with the smallpox vaccine, the writer argued that it’s not the discoveries that change history, but their implementation, the writer connected material progress with societal trust.
Shifting his focus to energy and the environment, he also argued that progressives often oppose new types of projects because they are focused more on what he calls negative prescriptions. But the basic issue is that neither progressives nor conservatives really trust government, the very institution that we established.
Fundamental to regaining our trust in government is regaining our trust in each other. This is something we have lost. We no longer have the social trust that binds us as a community. In fact, the very lack of trust is central to today’s political language and is a major contributor to the polarization we are now experiencing. Unless we find ways to rebuild that trust, those deep differences will only deepen.
Prayer for the Day
Give us grace, we pray, to shape our lives together,
Healing each other’s hurts and bearing each other’s pain;
Give us imagination, we pray, to look beyond the limits
We often set for ourselves, thinking nothing can help,
Give us strength, we pray, to live each day with courage and hope,
Moving into your future with the promise of true life,
In the name of the One who is your instrument of grace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen
Thoughts for the Day
Mistrust begets mistrust; trust begets accomplishment.
Lao Tzu, Chinese philosopher (6th century BCE)
Public health relies on public trust Admitting mistakes and explaining prompt corrective actions engender that trust.
Leanna S. Wen, M.D., journalist, former public health commissioner
Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you,
Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart
So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people.
Proverbs 3: 3-4