Time to Change #TheRhodeIslandWay to #TheRightWay - Raymond Two Hawks Watson

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Raymond Two Hawks Watson, MINDSETTER™

“New year, new me.” I’ve always found the phrase peculiar. Not because I’m averse to choosing a particular time of year to turn over a new leaf. Rather because so often, such passionate proclamations result in nothing more than temporary showmanship that eventually reverts to the same bad habits.

 

In many ways, I feel like this is Rhode Island’s informal mantra; particularly when it comes to local and state elections. In the months leading up to and throughout the election season Rhode Islanders adopt passionate espousals for change and strong and direct promises for more accountability. Frustratingly, once all the dust settles, these idealistic goals fade to the background and Rhode Islanders vote #TheRhodeIslandWay
 

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I’ve written about this phenomenon in a few of my past commentaries. Rhode Island’s 2022 election cycle was no different. For those who have been active in or aware of Rhode Island politics, upon viewing the State’s newly elected leadership one quickly realizes that the new leadership isn’t really all that new. Taking nothing away from any of the State’s leader’s leadership abilities or personal or professional accomplishments, one should note that all the State’s leaders have extensive experience serving in local or state government, and all have made their mark in the world of Rhode Island politics. Indeed, these reasons are often expressed when Rhode Islanders share why they voted for who they voted for. But I’ll ask; where does the change and accountability Rhode Islanders say they want fit into this strategy?

 

It's like a game that Rhode islanders can’t help but play. The Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights is still a major concern for Rhode Islanders seeking to promote greater professional accountability among Rhode Island law enforcement. The Providence Public School System is still in need of reform. Fentanyl overdoses are on the rise, homeless advocates were recently encamped at the State House, violence between biker gangs has been prevalent, and we can’t forget about those pesky Indians, can we? These issues existed before Rhode Islanders went to the polls this past November, and many Rhode Islanders agree that something needs to be done about these issues. However, when it was said and done, in 2022 Rhode Islanders voted for more of #TheRhodeIslandWay

 

Hopes could be higher for the State’s capital city of Providence. A new Mayor, a new City Council President, seven new City Council Members, a new Chief Judge, and a search for a new Chief of Police sound like a solid recipe for a City looking to move in a new direction. However, what we’ve witnessed is public criticism for the Finance committee’s approval of the contract with ProvPort, for the mayoral appointments to the Providence School Board, and for the strategies employed to engage community feedback related to the appointment of the new Chief of Police. Rhode Islanders will inevitably, vociferously, and in many cases legitimately cast blame at the political leadership for any perceived issues in these regards while simultaneously and nonchalantly overlooking the fact that Rhode Islander’s choose their political leadership . . .  and Rhode Islanders have a history of choosing political leadership that they’re almost immediately willing to criticize and attack. It's peculiar behavior and reminiscent of the “New year, new me” crowd’s propensity for never actually getting around to the new me part. It’s not about the change, it's just about going through the motions.

 

I’m not a fan of going through the motions. So, I’ll ask . . . when will Rhode Islanders stop repetitively doing things that aren’t of real benefit to the State? When will Rhode Islanders stop doing things #TheRhodeIslandWay and start doing things the #TheRightWay?

 

When will Rhode Islanders abandon the mindset that talking about change is more beneficial than changing? When will Rhode Islander’s take more accountability for their role in sustaining contemporary challenges through choice of political leadership? When will Rhode Islanders stop playing this peculiar game?

 

Or is it all just an elaborate display that Rhode Islanders can’t help to engage every so often before getting back to business as usual?

 

New year, new me, new Rhode Island . . . but not while Rhode Islanders keep doing things #TheRhodeIslandWay

 

My three cents.

 

Raymond Two Hawks Watson, JD, MCP

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