United we stand, divided we melt

We’ve seen a lot of division within Maryland and our country during this first decade of the 21st century. The less unified we seem, the more pessimistic we become. We’ve had plenty of that lately.

Here we are, in the midst of winter holidays, several weeks before the inauguration of a new president, wondering what the heck will go wrong next. Politicians vow to really change our lives for the better, but every day corporations and careers and savings go poof as our economy dips and dives. People die on our streets for no good reason. We have no choice but to change because so many of the institutions we rely on are diminishing — or worse. 

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world,” said Mohandas Gandhi. Or was it the cashier or the teacher or the cop or the bartender or the person in the next pew or the kid beside you in the crosswalk? Maybe all of them.

No one alone can’t fix the auto industry today, or reform our investment systems over the weekend, or eliminate crime on Monday, but you and I can make a mighty first step toward fixing things by taking responsibility for our families and ourselves.

Yes, we’re all in this together. We can treat each other the way we want to be treated. We can seek help in getting our bills paid, our children fed, our neighborhoods safe and our legal system functioning smoothly. We at Exhibit A will let  you know what’s going on and what can be done. We’ll have stories and columns in the weeks ahead about fighting local crime and salvaging personal finances, for example. And you can share what you know or tell us what you want to find out.

Temperatures have been low, winds harsh and daylight short this month. But an office manager’s outlook brightened recently when she was reminded that for the next six months we’ll see the sun a little longer each day. And that’s the way we need to live, no matter who’s in the White House and whether you voted for him: Do the right thing daily and pull together. That’s the only way to a better tomorrow.

Happy Holidays. Let’s make 2009 a great year for all of us.