“Resistance” is the word of conviction in Seattle lately. The election of Donald Trump has sent some into a frenzy, taking every action possible to show their outrage and disapproval of his administration. Most recently, the Seattle City Council got on board to “Trump-Proof Seattle” with the passing of an income tax on the wealthiest citizens in the city. The goal of said tax was to be prepared if Trump pulls federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities, and chip away at the city’s “regressive tax system.” We’re yet to see if the funding will actually be used for either. 

But let’s face it. This is all a distraction. A way to pander to louder constituents while making grand gestures without any real impact. The question remains if this time-consuming act does anything to help Seattle’s urgent issues. As an aspirational stoic, I am reminded of a passage from one of the most famous Stoics, Marcus Aurelius.

 

“Does what’s happened keep you from acting with justice, generosity, self-control, sanity, prudence, honesty, humility, straightforwardness, and all other qualities that allow a person’s nature to fulfill itself? So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

 

The best answer to an administration you disagree with is simple: do your job. Be a good person. Act with self-control and contribute to your community. Aurelius reminds us in his timeless prose, if we all stay focused doing our work, and doing what is right, there will be no need to “resist.” 

Before Trump was ever elected president, Seattle had a growing homelessness issue. Before Trump took office, our chronic traffic congestion was only getting worse. Way before Trump was even the Republican nominee, housing affordability was a hot topic in Seattle. None of that has changed. There is still much work to be done, regardless of who is in the White House. With the exception of the ill-executed Travel Ban, nothing from the White House has really had a direct impact on our city. And if we were to use the travel ban as an example, it was the fact federal judges did their job that the Trump Administration is taking this case all the way to SCOTUS. 

You may be tired of the childish tweets. You may be concerned about what’s happening with Russia. You might be worried about the overall incompetence. It can be tempting to be “outraged” and to make bold gestures, but none of that will help Seattle. The best thing you can do is your small part. Take care of your family. Work hard and with integrity. Volunteer in your community. Stay informed on local politics. Do your job.

This week’s Seattle Mayoral debate discussed a lot about how our city has been negatively impacted by the rapid growth we are currently experiencing. The culprit— “rich developers” and “tech.” Yes, there should be more conversation about how we can all share the load of responsibility and cost that comes with rapid growth. However, last night was an opportunity for a candidate to open up the conversation about the endless resources of technology and innovation we have at our disposal in our own backyard.

For every real challenge we are facing, there are millions of dollars and hours of research going into finding efficient solutions that scale. Right here in our community, we have businesses developing cutting-edge technology tackling many of these hot topics including affordable urban housing, shelter for the homeless, and transit, just to name a few. Where was the idea for a government-technology coalition? With City Hall spending up about $2,000 per resident in the last four years, you would think efficiency and scale would be at the top of the priority list. At a minimum, how about a discussion around data analytics? We are experiencing an unprecedented level of new taxation, and yet no clear reporting on whether this tax spending has been effective. I know of a firm or two that would be more than happy to take a stab at the budget.

Partnering with companies to help bring solutions while collaborating on our growth should have been mentioned by at least once by a single candidate last night. But instead, it was an evening of pandering. Once again we watched big business be blamed for all that’s wrong with Seattle. That attitude is not going end a regressive tax system. Or relive our traffic congestion. Or support the most vulnerable in our community.

As we approach the August 1 Primary Election, I hope we as a city resolve to shed our partisan viewpoints and instead strive to find sustainable solutions. Let’s drop the status quo and get innovative. 

 

This piece was originally posted on Seattle’s place for curious locals, The Evergrey.

 

What if I told you I’m a libertarian-leaning conservative living in Seattle?

It may surprise you a bit that I’m so open to sharing, considering the quickly changing political climate in our area.

What if I also told you I’m a woman? And I’m mixed race? To top it all off, I am queer.

I often experience complete shock from people when I share my political views with them. But as of late, the shock has shifted to something like disgust from some. The reaction is that it’s as if I am betraying my own identity.

Our recent presidential election has no doubt left many of us shaken to the bone, but I fear that Seattle’s reaction to a Trump presidency is creating more division in a time when we need to come together more than ever.

It has taken years for me to develop my closely held political views, but at the same time, I try to surround myself with people who challenge those views every day. And at many points in my life, these views have changed. It’s the only way I grow as a person.

During the beginning of the election, my wife was really feeling the Bern. My aunt, who is a great mentor to me, actively campaigned for Hillary. I had friends in Seattle who (secretly) voted for Trump or even wrote in other Republican candidates. I have had fascinating conversations with each and every one of them.

What’s funny is that if you were to take away our labels and put all of us in a room together, you would find that our true personal values are quite aligned. We just have different opinions of how to achieve these values as a society — which is exactly why we must engage with each other.

I recently watched an episode of 60 minutes where a number of Trump voters from a small town in Indiana were interviewed. They did not want to see America build a wall. In fact, they were on the program to express anger over a member of their community being deported back to Mexico after building a life and business in the U.S.

These people had different reasons for their vote. And yet, many on the left would immediately dismiss any Trump voter as a racist, homophobic, xenophobic and sexist individual without knowing one thing about the person. And when the political leaders of our city take this stance, the results can be dangerous.

Take the comments from Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant. She said in a public meeting that she doesn’t have Republican politicians as friends, and the room cheered. An elected official with the sworn duty to act in the best interest of her constituents, instead happily dismisses and mocks a group of them.

Is that public service? Is that leadership?

Sawant could have taken that moment to express that while Democrats and Republicans often disagree on many things, we could all certainly take a second look at how we treat our wavering youth. Instead, she drew a line in the sand. Us vs. them. Righteous vs. evil. And her disappointing comments garnered applause from the chamber.

People sometimes look at me and think I am ashamed of who I am or am just plain ignorant. These assumptions are both flat wrong. I am very passionate about the right to marry my wife and have equal access to the law. Which is why I think people with religious convictions should have the same rights to live as they see fit. It doesn’t hurt me, so why should I interfere?

I want more than anything to see women and people of color achieve career and economic freedom, which is why I strongly advocate for less regulation and a more free market where individuals, regardless of their demographic makeup, can take control of their future.

Some people disagree that these are the solutions to these deeply complicated topics. That’s okay. I can still hear them out, and maybe even learn something from them. And maybe, just maybe, we could create a solution through compromise.

It’s mind-boggling that less than a decade ago McCain and Obama competed about who could reach across the aisle more. Now it seems that any deviation from one’s party is a betrayal. To me, that is frightening.

So, this week go find someone with a different political view from you and take them out for coffee. I have a feeling you’ll find more things in common than not. That could be progress to build on.

I would hate to see a city that welcomed me with open arms become just as intolerant as “the other America” it criticizes.