By Hipolito Navarrete, Managing Editor/Publisher

Pol·i·tics; noun: the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.

There is a deceptive movement that has been dogging the world since the development of the political class which has led to the despise of those that prepare themselves for the governance of a position created to manage a position that focuses on public service. “Politics as usual,” has become a go to phrase to refocus the population’s attention away from their social responsibility. When lack of action this happens, the needs of those that turn their back on politics, especially local politics, will be ignored. A responsible government can only develop when its able to respond. That can only happen if its citizens are fully engaged. Corporations also depend on governments to protect them, they just don’t want the responsibility of responding to them and thus by default to the needs of the people.

There is a certain misguided effort to have us consider political conversations as too divisive and controversial when we are at opposite ends. That may be true to an extent, but the ramifications of not having a conversation and digging heels to our own personal beliefs, are extremely destructive. We are now living in a world that is connected and because of that, there has been a new wave of opportunities to understand our world through in-depth analysis that can help us become much more informed than at any other time in history, but we must look for folks and institutions that are knowledgeable, and although biased, are transparent about their intention when teaching their students.

There are very positive things happening around the world that excite us and keep us engaged in the beauty that is in the world, however, there are sobering realities that require our attention and our curiosity. We must be informed about what is happening and what are the changes that will create the type of political environment that will destroy our contract. We simply do not have an option but to engage with each other, sometimes in uncomfortable and rough conversations, but it must be done for all our sakes.