Years ago, I was driving over La Veta Pass in southern Colorado, a lovely stretch that divides the eastern plains from the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountain range that extends down into New Mexico. It was a long drive so I turned on the radio but heard nothing but static on the FM channels. On the AM, I had the choice between Christian music stations and talk radio, all of the right-wing variety; not exactly a perfect choice for someone of my nature.
Midway across the Pass, I found the Glenn Beck Program and, with a heavy sigh, decided to give it a go. Beck was interviewing a woman who was running for office as a Republican conservative. She was giving the usual party line until Beck asked her, “What are your values?”
The woman answered with her talking points until Beck interrupted her saying, “No, I’m not interested in your politics. What are your values?” a word he deliberately emphasized. Still, she didn’t get it but, to his credit, Beck refused to yield, making it clear that core values were different from one’s political or religious opinions although they can be formed by them.
The conversation perked up my ears because before we moved to New Mexico, my wife, Lisa and I had spent a day exploring our own values. Scientist that she is, Lisa had on hand numerous charts, graphs, notepads and a very intimidating list of 400 core values! Fortunately, many were synonyms (as example; bravery, courage and fearlessness are pretty close) but going down the columns, which we did individually, it made us ponder which applied.
Before beginning, we divided them into three categories. The ones which were so deeply ingrained in our being that they defined who we are. Secondly, those values that we resonated with. And lastly, and the most hard; those which we wanted to lean more into during our future journey through life. Not surprisingly, this list was the longest for both of us.
It’s a good exercise because, if anything, it allows an honest appraisal of the kind of person you are and what you would like to be. I believe that life is a process of constant growth, hopefully in a positive direction. In no way does choosing our core values apply us for sainthood because every hour of the day, one has the option to follow or ignore. Our choices do affect our politics and religious beliefs, not the other way around.
Lisa and I compared notes, listing our top 10 core values and were not surprised that first and foremost was “Beauty.” In this case, it has nothing to do with cosmetics or body image but the beauty of the heavens and the earth. Two months after this exercise, we made the conscious decision to move to New Mexico where the beauty of the heavens and the earth smacks you in the face the minute you open the door (and yes, I admire the beauty of New England, too!) My values, among others, included justice, integrity, community, empathy, generosity and, not surprisingly, patriotism. Had it not been for the haven of America, all my grandparents and parents would have perished in the Holocaust.
Listening to Beck that day, I thought about the core value of compassion and how that translated for me. As I did so, I glanced to the left and saw a farm shed where the word “COMPASSION” was spray painted in bold pink and purple letters. Fortunately, I didn’t fly off the road but thought about that miracle for miles afterwards.
Recently, a respected Greenfield citizen asked about our choices for the upcoming 2028 presidential election, choosing which Democrat versus Republican tickets would be the most appealing. I answered that instead of Red against Blue, liberal versus conservative; let’s consider the question from a different perspective.
Which politician, regardless of party, truly cares about improving the lives of the American people? What are their core values, not talking points? I think we can agree that the Trumps, Jeff Bezos’, Elon Musks and Jeffrey Epsteins live in an alternative universe of greed, money, power and privileged depravity. To them, we don’t exist. I’m sure the Epstein files will show the widespread moral rot of these elites.
Therefore, who cares about the rest of us regardless of race, religion, gender or politics, without spreading fear, suspicion, hatred and scapegoating.
When choosing our future leaders, we Americans should then demand, “What are your core values?”
Daniel A. Brown lived in Franklin County for 44 years and has written a monthly My Turn column for over two decades. He lives outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico with his wife, Lisa and dog, Cody.