It抖阴ap the most wonderful time of the year, right?
According to a recent poll released by the American Psychiatric Association, not really. Thirty one percent of adults expect to feel more stressed out this holiday season, an increase of 9 percentage points over last year.
The main reason is this: too many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, and can鈥檛 afford holiday gifts and meals. A November Lending Club report found that 63% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and are not currently saving any money.
So, with the holiday season upon us, here are some of my holiday wishes for the coming year.
In order to tackle our thorniest issues, we need a government that works.聽 Abraham Lincoln once famously said, 鈥渁 house divided against itself cannot stand鈥� and today, we have too many leaders proving that point.
Step one, we need leaders to demonstrate respect and civility toward each other.聽 We have a rise in political extremism with so-called political leaders riling up their base with false claims and hate speech stoking an ongoing American Uncivil War.
According to a recent poll for the Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service, 95% of Americans agree that respect is the first step to having a government that works and civility is the way you get there.
Last week, 92 municipal members from nearly 60 Connecticut towns signed a civility pledge vowing to do their part in helping foster respectful, civil engagement throughout their towns and the state.
There鈥檚 an idea that doesn鈥檛 require a law and holds each other accountable.
Step two in creating a government that works requires our elected officials to compromise.聽 The Georgetown study found an interesting contradiction between strong majorities that want their elected officials to simultaneously stand up to the other side and, at the same time, compromise and find common ground.
But, when pressed to resolve this conflict and choose between standing up for your side or finding compromise to get things done, the poll found that 68% wanted elected officials to roll up their sleeves and compromise.聽 Don鈥檛 let perfect be the enemy of good.
That applies even to states like Colorado where Democrats control everything. To my Democratic friends it would be wise to remember that the dumpster fire that is currently the Republican Party may not always make you the preferred choice.
It would also be a mistake for Colorado Democrats to ignore the fact that unaffiliated voters make up 45% of the state鈥檚 electorate (as compared to 28% for Democrats and 25% for Republicans), and many of these voters don鈥檛 like you. The Pew Research Center found that the share of voters with an unfavorable view of both parties has risen to 27% this year.
Indeed, forty-two percent of Americans self-identify as independents according to the most recent Gallup poll this month and many are looking for a new way. To that end, I鈥檓 hoping that Americans find a path to fund and organize a major third political party promoting more moderate politics and candidates. If nothing else, it will force the parties to find common ground.
Once people agree to get along and work together, here are some problems that need major attention.
Our elected officials need to address inflation and housing affordability.
And, I鈥檓 wishful that they also tackle gun violence and mental health.
Gun violence recently surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for American children between the ages of 1 and 18.聽 Shame on us.聽 We are tired of our elected officials saying their thoughts and prayers go out to victims of gun violence and their communities, but then fail to take action.
And, if it抖阴ap not too much to wish for, I want to see our Imperial United States Supreme Court stop its right-wing power grab. In a little more than one term, the Court has proven that the road backward to our nation鈥檚 ugly past goes through its once-hallowed chambers.
The justices must stop acting like a political institution. Above all it should be the backstop to protect people鈥檚 fundamental individual and collective rights and not undermine the legally established power and authority of other branches of government. History will correctly judge backward moves harshly.
And since this is a wish list, I鈥檓 hoping for an end to the Ukraine War, a cure for cancer, an end to hate, the next mayor to inspire Denverites while ensuring our safety, and, an above average snowpack for water and recreation.
And, I鈥檇 love to see our talented Denver Nuggets win the NBA Championship and the Colorado Rockies win the World Series.
I was going to make a wish for the Broncos, but compared to everything else on this list, that seemed like an overreach.
And, I wish you good health.
Happy holidays.
Doug Friednash grew up in Denver and is a partner with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck. He is the former chief of staff for Gov. John Hickenlooper.
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