It’s election season, with candidates across the political spectrum — from democratic socialists on the left to Christian nationalists on the right — and everywhere in between. Inevitably some with wildly opposing views will end up as legislative colleagues, which begs the question: Is it possible for such staunch ideological adversaries to find common ground? That thought brought these lyrics to mind:
Will you meet me in the middle?
Will you meet me in the air?
Excerpted from the 1975 hit “Sister Golden Hair” by the soft rock group America, these lines from the refrain refer to a guy who is not “ready for the altar” yet desirous of romance with a lady who is ready. His questions are an effort to find common ground with her via compromise (“meet me in the middle”) in which she will love him “just a little, just enough to show you care” without marital commitment (“meet me in the air”), although he may be wavering (“I just can’t live without you.”)
Sustainability in politics, as in romance, is linked to finding common ground between opposing viewpoints. That said, polarization is hard to overcome.
Take for example the matter of whether to make Beaumont Crossing — the public plaza on 44th and Fremont — a permanent fixture. On one hand, there are residents and businesses, primarily in the vicinity of the plaza, who have been strongly opposed to the project’s summer trial run from the get-go, anxious about reduced parking, increased noise, and other potential problems. On the other hand, hundreds of B-W residents and most Fremont businesses have been enthusiastically supportive of the plaza, feeling it has fulfilled its purpose as a mid-neighborhood nexus for outdoor gatherings and scheduled events.
So, is a compromise possible somewhere “in the middle” on this controversy? Depends on where “the middle” ends up, but it should surely involve a recognition of the maxim: “The greatest good for the greatest number.” That approach must, however, be coupled with the commitment by BWNA to work with the Beaumont Business Association and PBOT to prioritize mitigation of the concerns expressed by nearby neighbors and businesses.
As the holiday season unfolds may common ground and civility prevail.
by Al Ellis, BWNA Board President