Different strokes for different folks
Hanging out in Connecticut’s northwest hills sure gives you a different look at the political landscape. While the people here are very socially progressive, you always get the clear message that they don’t always connect with Hartford—let alone Washington, DC. My impression, as I sit back and listen, is that folks feel the economy and happenings on the global stage are high and hot on their lists, and the issues are viewed from a regional lens. To paraphrase Lincoln: “Where you stand depends on where you sit.”
I’m admittedly biased, but the Northwest Corner is blessed with abundant natural resources—from the lakes, forests and trails to the ever-present hills. As issues go out here, education is a staple. Almost everyone speaks glowingly about the options for their children, the quality of their education and the caring and dedication of the teachers and staff. And naturally, if you’ll pardon the pun, the environment is big, too.
In our corner, you’ll most likely meet and greet independent voters and an equal balance of registered Democrats and Republicans. Regardless of political stripe, character matters a whole lot to them, as well, and whether they agree with a candidate or not on a given position, candidates who waffle and wobble on core positions are viewed with great skepticism in the Northwest Corner.
Last night I was at a quaint little brewery in Kent for a fundraiser for a local state legislator who is looking to establish a leadership PAC. At one point, this state rep never considered running for office—either locally or legislatively—and now that she has, she wants to help others learn the ropes, garner support and see how their roles as candidates and possible elected officials can make the area they want to serve in better for one and all.
(BTW: If you have an afternoon and want to take a beautiful drive and land at a great spot—head to Kent Falls Brewing Co.—a working farm brewery that is lovely, rural and lively!)
Back to my thoughts. Last night, my conversations all focused on the same question:
What IS Hartford doing about the state’s economic worries, the workforce and strategies for recruiting more businesses to make Connecticut sustainable for the generations to come?
One guest was most interested in thoughts about curbing generational poverty and empowering the thousands of young high school and college-age women who are raising kids on minimum-wage jobs who have a limited belief that their children will ever go to college and—sadly—an even more limited view on what a future in Connecticut can hold for them.
His discussion started that while the military has traditionally been an option for people not college-bound to start their employment path out of high school—the manufacturing arena is very much a varied, vibrant and rapidly evolving place for young men and especially women!
We had what was for me an exhilarating discussion. Rather than being critical about what’s NOT happening, he had a bunch of great ideas on emerging career pathways for young people today—especially in the northwest hills. We talked about the increasingly math/science-driven nature of manufacturing and occupational trade jobs, and Connecticut’s newly approved free community college program that can help meet those needs—and the wide array of opportunities for those with a good set of hands, a good head on their shoulders and a desire to help people.
As we headed home, I thought about the vast diversity of thought in Connecticut and especially how folks from different parts of the state see the solutions or next steps to at least alleviate Connecticut’s biggest challenges—especially those that will face whoever wins the fall election for governor. We may be a small state, but there is no “one size fits all” playbook for Connecticut’s future. It’s a set of micro-solutions for the northwest hills, the coastal areas, the central part of our state, the urban areas and especially the rural and less-populated sections that dot the countryside of our state—like up here.
So when the new class of 187 legislators arrives at the State Capitol in January, and the governor gets sworn in, maybe we should be looking for a “different strokes for different folks” approach where leaders from Connecticut’s four corners bring their best ideas of what works for their constituents to the Capitol, listen and learn from their counterparts and craft solutions that recognize, reflect and build on our regional strengths. After all, “one size fits all” ideas don’t necessarily fit a traditionally “home rule” state with 169 towns and such rich diversity of people, resources and geography—and an endless supply of “Yankee Ingenuity.”
Just maybe that’s the way forward!
