Yesterday was a joyful day. Politically. I was already excited about Kamala Harris on the top of the presidential ticket and how she has brought renewed energy among all Democrats. Yesterday, when Ms. Harris announced Tim Walz as her running mate I did a quick deep dig into him, and I got to say I really like what I see!
I think most people learned yesterday that he is a midwestern man, a military man, who spent years as a social studies teacher, and as a high school football coach. He became the teacher advisor for the school’s newly organized student group for gay individuals. Students suggested he run for public office and so he did. He then served in the US Congress before becoming the governor in Minnesota. The guy has a wonderful, varied background.
While governor he passed a law to make sure all Minnesota schools offer free breakfast and lunch to public school students. He knew how important being physically fed is required to nurture the mind. He cares for teachers and students. He codified abortion rights in the state, which means women’s rights in Minnesota can never be taken away. He stated yesterday that he and his wife used IVF for starting a family.
Yesterday I watched the rally in Philadelphia when Harris introduced Walz to the country. It was a spirited event! It was uplifting! The crowd was energetic. Both Harris and Walz spoke articulately about hopeful change and progress for America. At one point Walz said to the people there that Ms. Harris brings joy wherever she goes, and that was a lovely thing to say! I want a president who is happy, and one who is looking to making America better. I don’t see that on the other side. In fact there was not much happiness anywhere for a while. Instead there were lots of complaints. Lots of depressing rhetoric. Negativism. People were going low…. Feeling low.
Now I realize that there is a lot more to being a good president besides being a positive person. I think a president needs experience in government, in rational decision making, and needs to handle adversaries diplomatically. A president needs to represent us all with dignity, and a president needs to listen to smart advisors. When a president is open to learning then we all rise higher from it. Better choices are made.
Joy is a good thing! We all want to feel it and we want our leaders to serve with it. There is nothing wrong with feeling joy. I think about a book I recently read about feeling awe in life. We strive for it. The emotions of joy and awe are wonderful! The Olympics are happening now and we are getting to watch the athletes feel immense joy and awe.
So, I feel joy this morning. Politically, not everyday will feel that way for sure. The meanness is still very much out there. Just yesterday Trump posted on X calling many people (his opponents) nasty nicknames, as he usually does. People will still be vicious. Lies will be told. I stay off the media outlets that spew it.
But, I have got to say – man, it’s good to feel a little joy this morning. It’s nice to feel excited about future leaders, and that maybe, just maybe, we may be turning a corner on being better in our politics.
Marla’s Musings 