Director’s Notes

C o LUMN DIRECToR’S NoTES

YvONNE TAYLOR

Americans seem to be spending a lot of time and effort lately to choosing sides and vilifying each other. Everything has been politicized.

During our recent annual conference, I was once again grateful to be in a room full of great Americans (and South Dakotans), and once again teared up at the presentation and retirement of the Colors, and the recitation of the Pledge.

I am not in a job where the Pledge of Allegiance is recited daily, but every time I hear it, it seems to be the answer to our public discourse. If we would all simply take these words to heart and realize that they express what we all agree on about the country we love, it would go a long way to getting us all back on the same team. Don’t just say it – say it and mean it.

As we look to the next year, I hope all Americans spend some time thinking about these words and using them as our basis when we discuss the issues that matter to all of us.

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Yvonne Taylor Executive Director yvonne@sdmunicipalleague.org