By Sister Jan Cebula, OSF
September 19, 2014
Heading east on U.S.
Highway 20 near Sac City, Iowa, on the road to Waterloo. As we travel along, seeing the corn and soy
bean fields, farms, small towns, and larger ones rolling by, bumping along with
the tires humming, I suppose it’s natural that road images start coming to
mind.
Journeys take us to unexpected places. At times it’s smooth
sailing. We hit rough spots. Sometimes
the road narrows or takes a detour. We may even get lost. Surprises can turn
into unexpected joy.
So it also is with the journey of democracy. Day Two for
Nuns on the Bus was an experience of exploring this with our first two “Town
Halls for the 100%.” In Council Bluffs we were welcomed by Interfaith Response
at New Horizon Presbyterian Church and were hosted by the Sanford Community Center in Sioux
City. We came to learn.
We encouraged the participants to tell each other their stories
about the first time they voted, who influenced them to vote, and how they felt
about engaged in the civic process. A woman in my group said voting was just
expected. Another spoke of growing up thinking she could make a difference. A
smooth road.
People at both locations were asked, “What are your concerns
about our country and where it’s heading…the road we’re on?”
Income inequality. The widening gap. People left out or
behind. Fear of the other. Deportation. The pavement has narrowed and leads to
fewer places.
Polarization. Not associating with others of differing
views. Republicans or Democrats living in separate neighborhoods. A divided
highway.
The influence of big money in politics. “Those who have the
gold, make the rules…to keep the gold.” System of self-preservation. Taken a
detour.
Loss of civic education and civic engagement that promotes
the common good. Thinking my vote doesn’t count. Not voting. Lost and seeking
directions.
Sister Simone Campbell, emphasizing the importance of
community, said there is “Road work ahead. We are making a road to the future
of our democracy and there is work to do.”
We already have the tools. Together we can figure out the
route. The Town Halls for the 100% showed us that.
An interfaith group from both Iowa and Nebraska gathered in
Council Bluffs, including the majority leader of the Iowa Senate. Sioux City
drew a crowd of diverse ages, ethnic and economic backgrounds from Iowa,
Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota. Several state and local elected officials
and candidates for office attended. The League of Women Voters were present to
register voters.
Everyone at both places was genuinely concerned about
others: a daughter with large student debts, those without adequate health care,
raising the minimum wage so people can support themselves, immigrant families
being split apart, preserving safety net programs, others having enough food to
put on the table, equal rights,
empowering women, environmental destruction, threatened water.
They hold tightly to our cherished U.S. values of justice,
equality and one person/one vote. They know the importance of civic engagement.
They are voters! They are on the bus! They are ready to work
to build the road!
