As the publisher of this newsletter, I’ve decided to carve out space for a regular column where I share my views on current events. Sometimes those views will relate directly to dentistry. Sometimes they won’t. I fully recognize that I may alienate a few readers along the way, and I’m okay with that. I’d rather be clear about who I am and how I see the world than pretend to be neutral just to avoid discomfort. This newsletter, like its publisher, won’t be a perfect fit for everyone. That’s life. We are fortunate to live in one of the greatest nations in the history of mankind. No, it isn’t perfect. But compared to most of the world, past or present, it stands tall. What troubles me is how far our political discourse has fallen. The bar feels lower every cycle. Political ads from both parties are increasingly shallow, personal, and divisive, designed less to inform than to provoke anger and fear. Give Me a Moment for My Monthly Rant
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That doesn’t move us forward. It pulls us apart.
I recently came across a quote from John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, that perfectly captures what we’ve lost:
“It’s okay to disagree, but do so agreeably.”
That idea feels almost quaint today.
The recent government shutdown is a perfect illustration of what’s broken. Elected officials on both sides seemed far more interested in blaming the other team and scoring points with their base than in actually governing. Meanwhile, the lights go off, services stall, and the people they were elected to serve pay the price.
We didn’t elect them to posture. We elected them to do the job. And lately, the job isn’t getting done.
What frustrates me most is that there is no shortage of serious issues demanding attention. In no particular order, here are just a few: • The ever-growing deficit • A tax code so complex it benefits those who can game it rather than those who earn honestly • The need for comprehensive immigration reform • Meaningful education reform
• Health care reform that balances access, quality, and sustainability • A realistic plan to fund Social Security and Medicare long-term • Ending identity politics and restoring true equality under the law • A justice system that holds everyone accountable, without exception
I have my own views on potential solutions, but that’s not really the point here. Before we argue about answers, we need agreement on the problem set. Congress should be setting a serious agenda, prioritizing what matters, and getting to work.
And if they can’t, or won’t, then we should do what citizens in a functioning democracy are supposed to do: Vote them out and try again.
Alright. Rant over. Back to dentistry.
Stan Kinder - (703) 298-1690 · 15
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