Letter: Candidate for City Council - Upbeat attitude in a downbeat world

Today I stood outside the front entry to South Lake Tahoe's Grocery Outlet to meet and greet our citizens. I happen to enjoy meeting and wishing all a GOOD DAY! Most persons are at Grocery Outlet to shop for food and did not come primarily to discuss politics. I don't push or obstruct a person's comings and goings. I can read from the body language, like when they turn their face to look in the opposite direction or go to the other side of the entry to obviously avoid
any interaction. If I'm not talking to a person, I make it a point of wishing each person or family a good day, or a great day. I honestly desire that all people are successful and I desire that they enjoy the day. Some I will notice something about them that is different, like a shirt with writing on it. These are always an invitation to say something a little more personal yet always positive. One person had on a shirt that had the Oregon State colors and insignia. I just said,
"Miss Oregon, have a great day!" She beamed as she walked away.

What does it take to be civil with a well meaning attitude? Very little. Can't we all just have a positive attitude toward each other, even if we disagree politically? There were some who stopped to talk politics, and we were on the opposite side concerning an issue. One woman gave me my card back, as a sign that she was not going to vote for me. I was not offended, I still wished her to have an enjoyable, good day! And I meant it! In a civil society we can disagree and still honestly care that the other will enjoy life.

This is where I don't understand some of the videos in the media. Yesterday, I viewed a video where individuals marched into a restaurant chanting curses at the patrons and one chanting individual, in a single movement, knocked some of the serviceware onto the floor. This appeared to be a "bully" type move. There was not a positive mood of "Have a great day" in that restaurant! The behavior appeared to be meant to instill fear into those seated and eating their meal. Where has dignity, respect, civility and a real desire for one another's sense of well
being gone? If anger and hatred is the new normal, then our society will not improve! No law will pacify the heart that is set on harming others. I am afraid that we may have passed the tipping point, but I hope and wish for a better tomorrow.

- Leonard Carter
cartercouncil20@yahoo.com