A Path to Healing

The Common Values that Unite Us

Barry Wadsworth – April 19th, 2026

I think many of us often wonder how we, as Americans and as Californians, allowed ourselves to become so divided. We all know people who voted for the other party but are good neighbors and valued community members. I am currently enrolled in the Amador County Master Gardeners program and it is so refreshing to sit together with other gardeners who are united in their enthusiasm for growing plants, without regard for who they support politically. It has made me reflect on the common values that unite us, the things we all want before any consideration of politics or tribe.

As a 69 year old retired person, are my needs and hopes really any different than any other 69 year old retired person? Or any other person for that matter?

Don’t we all want affordable food, medicine, healthcare?

If we own a home, don’t we all want affordable and comprehensive home insurance?

If we have children or grandchildren, don’t we all want good schools for our kids? Don’t we want them to have job prospects when they graduate or be able to enter a trade school, college or university if they desire? Don’t we want them to have affordable housing or be able to afford their first home?

Don’t we all treasure our National Parks and public lands? Don’t we all care about safety from wildfires?

Don’t we all wish our Congress would pass sane, fair but compassionate immigration reform?

Don’t we all value local small businesses? Don’t we all value our farmers and farm workers that provide food for us?

We all deserve to be represented by a Congressperson that truly has our best interests at heart, someone of integrity that doesn’t deceive with misinformation and disinformation with an am to divide us.

Don’t we all value our Constitutional rights? And don’t we want government leaders that lead by example, promoting the same human right values abroad?

Don’t we all benefit from international trade and the international laws and security that make this possible? Don’t we all prefer a world at peace because international laws are respected and upheld?

Don’t we all value the research of our universities that have led to cures for disease? Don’t we value the many programs that have their origin in our state colleges and universities, like the Master Gardeners program?

If we are Christian, don’t we value loving our neighbor as ourselves? Don’t we want to do unto others as we would have them do unto us? Or if we are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist or Hindu, don’t we all basically want the same things in life? Don’t we all have room for more kindness and altruism?

Looking at these common values, I’m perplexed at how we have allowed ourselves to become so manipulated by politicians that seek to divide us. We are better than this. And I firmly believe we can rise above this. But, it will require wisdom when filling out your ballot. We need to move past tribal or party group think and think independently. Which candidate truly reflects our values? Which candidate best represents who we are and our love for our country and community?

If we can reflect in this way, we can rise above the division and reclaim our country and once again be united as Americans and respected world-wide as such.

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