Bill Kenny: Let life’s rules guide you this election

We all know what’s at stake beyond the highest office in the land. We are choosing a U.S. Senator, an entire Congressional House delegation as well as both chambers of our General Assembly — not to mention a couple of local issues and initiatives here in Norwich, decisions on public bonding. It’s always been my experience when we’re talking money, every one listens.

I would suggest — and this isn’t an endorsement so much as it is three of life’s rules — that you give consideration to all of this as the election churn deepens and the volume of noise grows. You already know the three life rules of which I speak, but may not realize you’re using them:

If you do not go after what you want, you’ll never get it.

If you do not ask, the answer is always no.

If you do not move forward, the best you’ll ever be is where you were instead of where you want.

On my block growing up, each of those was called a BGO — blinding glimpse of the obvious. And yet, looking at our nation, our state and our city, obvious they are not.

My family and I have only lived here for two decades, so if I’m out of line with this I’ll pretend to apologize and you can pretend to forgive me.

I’m going to suggest to long-time residents that your search for someone to blame for why Norwich 2012 isn’t the Norwich from (insert your favorite number) years ago, doesn’t do a thing for us in the here and now — or help get us to tomorrow.

We will never experience the success of a Yes if we always avoid asking questions out of a fear of a No.

We are a city of (K)No(w)-It-Alls, who expect everything and everyone to fail. We’re surprised when efforts are recognized and rewarded, but sometimes we’re not very nice to those who deserve our applause.

And growth and change are both indications — and celebrations — of life. Stasis is not progress but, rather, decay. It’s actually very binary: One or zero. One equals life, Zero equals ... well, that’s for another time.

Between now and November’s first Tuesday you’ll hear from every candidate on every aspect of every issue.

Feel free to use, or not, the above rules.

I don’t pretend your life will be easier or less bumpy if you do, that’s not the point. The point of life is to be an exclamation, not an explanation.