We have to keep at it. (fb)

All people have a right to be involved in discussions and debates that shape the world around them. The election of Donald Trump puts climate action and the rights of Americans and others at risk. We reject Mr. Trump’s dehumanizing language and his threats to use the powers of public office to punish people and institutions that do not agree with his pronouncements. To paraphrase a previous American President, civics is one of those things we do not because it is easy, but because it is hard. There is nothing easy about working through deep differences in perspective and material interest, to get to common ground and shared benefits, but all successful societies need to have processes that lead to this. Our task, as ever, is to foster an atmosphere in which no-nonsense problem-solving and inclusive participatory process make a better world possible. (fb)