The M~Theory

As we watch politics begin (and continue) at the local, state and federal level, I am reminded that “Life means Suffering” - the first of the four noble truths of Buddhism.

This truth is often perceived as negative. Such is not the case. This truth is just what life means to us – collectively and individually – as we go about making decisions on our way. Decisions can be hard.  It is when you recognize you must ”suffer” on some level to achieve happiness that you begin to become more aware of your purpose. And in today’s world the decisions we face – particularly the political decisions - are filled with difficulties that will mean suffering.

So why do we suffer? We suffer because our lives, our society and our world are all imperfect. Along with physical maladies, we also spend each day processing mental anguish, fear, disappointment, frustration, sadness, anger and much more. These mental “afflictions” often take the greatest toll on our happiness. And happiness is often fleeting.  It appears for indeterminate periods of time before it leaves us again.  This is hard on us because we want so much to be happy and realize the best possible outcome all the time.

Today we are in the midst of a lot of ”suffering’ in our politics. Between health care reform, efforts to stem unemployment, finding additional billions to fix our budgets around and for our state, and raising taxes in our own cities, we are living first-hand the difficulties of life and the hard choices that must be made. We do this with the hope that it will lead to a greater happiness. But we do suffer with the decisions we have made to realize happiness and will suffer more in the upcoming year.

In the end,  we must remember to weigh this suffering against the prospects of happiness. As happiness is fleeting, so is the difficulty of attaining it. The path to happiness is supposed to be hard. That is what makes happiness so rewarding. It is important that we embrace these difficult issues during this difficult time. For within them holds the key to the happiness that lies ahead.

I love speaking about bold ideas. Bold ideas are what get people in government thinking about what is possible instead of being shackled to the current the political agenda. And when people on the campaign trail ask me about my bold ideas for Bellevue, I am more than happy to indulge them. Among my favorite ideas include:

• Performing a “Priorities of Government” Exercise.  This will enable us to create goals, devise strategies, and make performance core to budgeting while better describing what we are doing and how much it costs. It will also be a forcing function to better align council and staff on the agreed upon future vision of Bellevue.
• Driving a “Twin to Win” strategy with Seattle. We must work with the new regional leaders – especially the incoming Seattle Mayor and County Executive –  on a plan to execute that recognizes that a rising tide floats all boats. This includes getting a Bellevue representative on Sound Transit’s board.
• Establishing a Local Economic Development Commission.  Much like Bellevue’s transportation and planning commission, this body would support certain business areas so that we fill vacancies and support local businesses while maintaining the character of the local neighborhoods.  
• Fast Track Innovative County Programs. Let’s bring innovative programs to Bellevue that are already occurring within our region. Top of my list are the Park & Ride Plug-In Pilot Project that promotes electric vehicle and the YWCA Family Village that provides affordable housing and family services.
• Creating a formal Board of Tourism.  This board would be the driving force behind branding and packaging Bellevue so that we may attract more businesses, events and visitors each year.
• Augmenting Bellevue’s current online resources. Bellevue’s Web presence needs to be more akin to the states “Access Washington” – intuitive, navigable and the one stop for all that is Bellevue.

What happens in November will come down to two choices: Bellevue can do things the same way we have – predicated on past behaviors and policies –  or look to new ways to approach problems, realize solutions and move Bellevue forward.  Now is the time to take these bold ideas and make them a reality.

There is a certain beauty in working on and solving hard political issues. It is something that I have enjoyed doing – first at the state and federal level and now as a public affairs director at Microsoft and a member of the Boundary Review Board for King County. The beauty begins when you first open your mind and objectively approach the situation. It then continues through the time spent understanding critical elements, exploring potential solutions, soliciting feedback and exchanging ideas.  I have found the ability to be open and receptive is what enables people, organizations and governments to perform at the highest level.  However, when that open-mindedness begins to narrow, it brings about what I term the culture of “No.”

The culture of “No” is a direct result of experience impeding progress, coloring attitudes and approaches to solutions. It is a byproduct of years of work or engagement on an issue, having institutional knowledge change from one’s core strength into their Achilles heel.  Instead of providing benefit, all that experience now creates mental boundaries, prejudices, and thinking guided only by the knowledge of previous decisions and outcomes. The result is a rigid environment that leads to limited discussion, fewer solutions and less-than-desired outcomes.  This environment serves as the foundation of the culture of “No” and decisions become predicated on little more than past experience, past achievement and a sense of self.

I see our city’s current political culture showing the telltale signs of becoming the culture of “No.” That is why I chose to run for city council and I pledge to change the environment that exists today. We can prevent this from happening by getting people with new ideas, perspectives and experiences involved in the process.  I do not want to see us fall into the trap that others have fallen into.  We must prevent the culture of “No” from happening in Bellevue.

I have to admit that I cringed a little on Saturday morning when I read that a developer was taking legal action to block light rail from using the express lanes on the I-90 bridge. First, as a mediator, I could not help but wonder if there was a better way to resolve this issue than to bring it to court. I much prefer conducting discussions with an eye toward reducing conflict. This way both parties can play a role in reaching an acceptable agreement. 

Second, I began to wonder why Bellevue is in this never-ending struggle to agree on an integrated, multi-modal transportation strategy that would serve the future needs of our city and region? With our region’s population predicted to nearly double by 2040 (for a great PSRC presentation click here), do we really think that all these people will be able to get around Bellevue using only cars and roads?  I already have friends who no longer go to Bellevue Square because of the traffic. I can’t imagine what it will be like when we grow by 1.4 million more people in King County. This strategy must be mutually beneficial to Bellevue and to those who come here each day to work, live and play. That means connecting with Seattle as well as Everett, Issaquah, Redmond and other key population areas.

But the issue of most concern with residents I have spoken with is the affect more cars have on the safety and integrity of our neighborhoods. Like many others, my wife and I are looking to build a life in Bellevue for our family. And with three children under the age of five I am concerned that our neighborhood streets are becoming major thoroughfares. This was not their intent.  Having lived on both ends of 108th, first up on NE 17th street and now down in Enatai, I have watched firsthand how this particular road - from Enatai through Surrey Downs to downtown - has become a main arterial for people trying to bypass 520, 405, I-90 and Bellevue Way. And what is also happening to 108th is happening to roads in many other neighborhoods. We have to reduce the number of cars that are on our roads. 

It is hard to believe that our city has been grappling with the issue of light rail for close to two decades. I pledge to be a city council member that brings the respective parties to the table, helps resolve these critical transportation issues, and enables us to move forward. Let’s face it – it’s time we get this done. We need other means of transportation. We need light rail. And it needs to be part of a comprehensive  strategy, that includes bus, bicycle and pedestrian mobility that benefits Bellevue and connects with the region.

We all just want to get around. But it is time to realize that it can’t just be in our cars on our roads.