This week President-Elect Biden nominated Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation. This made me more than smile. It made me grin and then sort of tear up.
No matter your politics, if you have an issue you want your government to understand, it’s akways a relief when you find someone willing to listen without judgement. And you all know I have some truck safety issues I’ve been trying to get heard for the past sixteen years.
The last four years have been frustrating as safety advocates were not welcome to the table at the Department of Transportation. Numerous requests for meetings were ignored or flatly denied. In past years we’ve been able to meet with the Secretary, but not in the latest administration. I don’t know that it would have changed anything anyway.
So I’m relieved that the President-Elect has nominated a person that appears willing to listen to all sides of an issue. I watched Buttigieg during the debates and found his comments to be thoughtful and measured. Calm. Just the kind of person I’d like to present my facts to.
I have high hopes that the person nominated for the Admistrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will also be willing to listen to safety’s side on all the issues. I think if we remind Buttigieg that safety is in their title and therefore their main responsibility we might have a shot.
Anyway…this was my biggest smile of the week. I hope his confirmation goes through without a hitch. I know he’s had some issues when he was mayor. I know he’s young. I know he doesn’t come from the trucking industry (and for me, that’s a plus), but he’s wildly intelligent, compassionate and personable.
He can learn the industry stuff. After all, the families of the thousands killed and injured each year learn it the hard way. It’s got to be a lot less painful to learn it just by being willing to listen.
December 17, 2020 at 2:42 pm
I was a big fan of Buttigieg during the debates as well and was thrilled with his appointment!
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December 17, 2020 at 3:11 pm
I watched the first debate in a different room than my husband. At the end I walked back out into the living room and said “Mayor Pete for President!”
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December 17, 2020 at 3:13 pm
You deserve those smiles and those tears. It’s has been a long time with no hope, but not now!
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December 18, 2020 at 12:42 pm
We always had hope, mostly that we cold hold out until a new administration that would be more favorable to safety issues. It’s still very complicated and nothing will go through easily, but there’s a path to safety now.
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December 17, 2020 at 3:16 pm
I also smiled! I would have loved seeing him run for President!
Looking forward to his new appointment!
Take care my friend…
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December 18, 2020 at 12:43 pm
I figure this is a stepping stone to him trying for President again.
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December 17, 2020 at 4:47 pm
I think he is gonna be great, Dawn. He wants to learn and (surprise!) , he listens to people. No snap judgments, no snarky comments. I am loving this entire Cabinet. Good, talented people on board.
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December 18, 2020 at 12:43 pm
It’s such a relief. All of it.
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December 18, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Absolutely.
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December 17, 2020 at 7:25 pm
I smiled, too. I liked Buttigieg a lot. My mom even liked him–and she’s a Republican. 🙂
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December 18, 2020 at 12:43 pm
See? He’s someone that can appeal to both sides from a place of center.
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December 17, 2020 at 7:45 pm
I agree . . . he seems to be one who will listen and add his knowledge to any situation. We may have a good one there!
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December 18, 2020 at 12:44 pm
I think we do!
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December 17, 2020 at 10:26 pm
I love this post, Dawn. I had not thought of all those things, and your hopes and expectations sound reasonable and encouraging. Yes, all of you bereaved families had to learn. That is the sad part, but — onward and upward! We hope!
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December 18, 2020 at 12:44 pm
We have high expectations.
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December 17, 2020 at 10:45 pm
Oh, wonderful!
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December 18, 2020 at 12:46 pm
I know!
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December 18, 2020 at 7:25 am
I’m sure he will be much better. Hopefully he will listen and things will improve.
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December 18, 2020 at 12:47 pm
That’s my hope too.
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December 18, 2020 at 12:48 pm
I think there is hope.
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December 18, 2020 at 5:34 pm
I believe there is.
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December 18, 2020 at 8:23 pm
I hope you get a chance to talk with him!
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December 21, 2020 at 10:57 am
I’m fairly certain we will. Or at least his UnderSecretary. But I hope it’s him as a sign of respect for safety.
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December 25, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Oh, that’s hopeful. Thank you for reporting that, and writing that. I like the guy for the same reasons you do and was hoping Biden would appoint him to something important. And he has. Keep us posted.
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