There is less than 90 days before the November elections. Just warning everyone to be prepared for a barrage of messages delivered directly to your inbox, mailbox, and practically every other way imaginable.
Yes, there is the Presidential campaign, and all the importance of this race cannot be underscored but, we’re also facing some critical State and local races and Measures.
Voting allows all of us the opportunity to be heard. Paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our
survival as a free people.” This point drives home our responsibility as citizens of this great country to exercise our right to vote and to do so with as much knowledge of the candidates and issues as possible. And this doesn’t mean just looking for the data that supports our position. If ever there was a time to listen and learn it is now. If ever there was a time to question our long-held beliefs it is now. Here’s why. We simply cannot move forward without each other, pulling in the same direction. We need to be willing to admit that we don’t have all the answers, that
maybe just maybe we were wrong. Not always, but yes, sometimes as smart as I think I am, I am wrong. Just ask my wife.
Let’s at least be open to consider the other side. Let’s listen with openness. Let’s learn to work together and give in sometimes, to bend, not break. Let’s openly look at our political beliefs and leanings and listen to the other side. I’m not saying we have to change, but rather, that we must be willing to test those beliefs. Being open to listen is a first step.
In that same spirit, the Chamber is working now to finalize upcoming candidate/measure forums. We’re going to open these up for all to participate and we’ll use the most effective communication resource we have at the time. Stay tuned for more details and be sure to go the Chamber website and social media for updates.
I want to thank all of the sponsors and members for joining us last Thursday evening for our Annual Board Installation Event. It was a virtual event and Mayor Paul McNamara swore in our full 20/21 Board and Ambassadors. Additionally, noted economist Dr. Chris Thornberg shared his forecast for the economy. All very relevant to the pandemic and insightful.
The Chamber is focused on creating a business environment in Escondido where any business can have the highest probability of succeeding. We’ve been doing this for 110 years now, and we’re not done yet!
Sincerely,
James Rowten (JR)