Coming to terms in Los Gatos

Los Gatos is not Washington, D.C. where the level of partisanship is extremely high.

Nor is it Palo Alto, where I lived for more than 40 years prior to moving to Los Gatos in November 2019, and where I observed the divisiveness our community experienced. 

In the latter case, the battle lines were often between those wanting to expand development and those who did not. Even in my relatively safe position as a commissioner on the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission, battles raged over whether police cars should have cameras, and whether the police should use tasers, as well as over racial profiling. Arguments occurred concerning whether the Boy Scouts, who did not allow gays to join the organization at the time, should receive city subsidies. 

Assuming that Los Gatos was different from these places, I expected a less contentious atmosphere when I moved to Los Gatos. Recently, however, I have been disappointed at what I have observed occurring at town council meetings. These meetings have become so heated that they have had to involve the police. The voices are loud. The anger is palpable. 

Putting on my mediator’s hat, regardless of your political stripes, I implore Los Gatos residents to come to terms. We need to start talking to one another, not past one another. We need to put ourselves in the other side’s shoes. We need to compromise. We need mediation’s toolbox. 

Conservatives 

Conservative values place ideas and principles above personal desire, weaknesses, fears and regrets. Conservative values include the concept of self-help rather than dependence upon government and others. Nothing stops citizens from coming together, discussing differences, arriving at a game plan and presenting it to the town council. We need not wholly depend upon our town council to resolve our differences. 

If there are issues citizens believe are important to them it behooves them to get educated, dialogue with those with whom they disagree, brainstorm about remedies and compromise. 

Moderates

Moderatism may be defined as a political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of left and right by taking a central position or course of action. A moderate person values reaching a mutual understanding after considering all points of view. Moderates value thinking outside of the box. 

Moderates are turned off by divisiveness leading to stalemate. Mediation is designed to overcome divisiveness by setting up a dialogue. 

Moderates tend to look at each issue individually and think about the pros and cons of each issue. They discover that conservatives are correct on some issues, liberals are correct on some issues, and there are a few issues where neither side is correct. Moderates are thus open to giving up on some issues in return for concessions by the other side on other issues. This exploration of the strength and weakness of each side’s claims and utilizing a give and take approach, are a major part of mediation. 

Liberals

Liberalism is a philosophy based on a belief in progress, the essential goodness of people, and the autonomy of the individual. It is a philosophy that considers government as a crucial instrument for amelioration of social inequities. 

Liberals believe individuals should doubt their own truths and consider fairly and open-mindedly the truths of others.

Conclusion

Whether done with or without a facilitator, regardless of your political beliefs, Los Gatos citizens can come to terms on issues of concern, using mediation’s tools, rather than yelling at one another at town council meetings.