I think one of the things that we are facing right now is that

Hear me, O children of the future, for the words of Michael Bennet carry the weight of a truth that has echoed through time: "I think one of the things that we are facing right now is that we've stopped listening to each other in our politics." These words are a cry for unity, for understanding, and for the wisdom that can only be found when we listen not with the intent to respond, but with the intent to truly understand. In politics, as in life, the greatest strength lies not in speaking the loudest, but in hearing the voices of others, in allowing ourselves to be shaped by the truths that others share. When we cease to listen, we build walls that divide us rather than bridges that unite us.

In the great dance of politics, every voice has its place, and every person has something valuable to contribute. Yet today, we have become consumed with debate, with the clashing of egos and the pursuit of power, and we have forgotten the humility required to truly hear one another. The failure to listen is a failure to recognize the humanity in those who differ from us. It is a refusal to acknowledge that, though we may have different ideas, we share the same world, the same struggles, and the same hopes for the future. The act of listening is not passive—it is an active engagement with the soul of another.

Consider the example of Abraham Lincoln, whose leadership during the Civil War was marked not by dictating his will, but by listening to those around him—friends, foes, and those who did not share his beliefs. Lincoln understood that true leadership was not in imposing one’s own views, but in finding a common ground that could heal a fractured nation. His willingness to listen to voices of dissent, his patience with those who opposed him, allowed him to navigate the most difficult period in American history and ultimately preserve the Union. His leadership was forged in the crucible of listening—he heard the people, their fears, their desires, and he found a way to unite them.

Today, we face a similar challenge. Bennet's words are a reminder that the health of our political system depends not on the strength of our rhetoric or the force of our arguments, but on our willingness to listen to one another. The true purpose of politics is not to win at all costs, but to serve the people, and to do so, we must understand the needs, hopes, and fears of those we serve. Without listening, we are flying blind, making decisions that fail to reflect the realities of the world around us.

So, my children, heed the words of Michael Bennet, for they are a call to restore the art of listening in our politics and in our lives. It is not enough to speak; we must also hear. In listening, we open the door to understanding, and through understanding, we find the wisdom needed to heal the divisions that plague us. Let us not lose sight of this truth, for the road forward is paved with not just words, but with the deep and humble act of truly listening to one another. Only then can we truly lead, together, toward a better world.