Chicago Won More Than It Lost With 2016 Olympic Bid

In spite of the sad news that Chicago will not host the 2016 Summer Olympics there is a fact we need to be mindful of today.  Especially in light of the almost complete breakdown of sanity and manners in Washington, along with many sections of the country, over the past nine months due to those who think small.  What we witnessed over the past several years from Chicago was what a common shared dream can accomplish when elected officials join hands with civic leaders, the business community, and the public.  The fact that Chicago was among the final four in contention for the Olympics was no small thing,  That in and of itself was a major feat, and all can be proud of it.  It was that blending of purpose over rancor that led them to the international stage.  Not all the hands that joined together for the Olympic idea were of one mind on the other issues that had confronted them over the years.  The deep divisions and splits about past policies and purposes, though not forgotten, were pushed aside so the new goal of the international games could be concentrated on. 

But it can also be said conversely about the political health of this nation that rancor over purpose has undermined and torpedoed our aims while eating away at our ability to function as a nation.  The very positive forces that were at play in Chicago are the same ones that are lacking in our public discourse and actions when we look at those who are trying to undermine the work of Washington.

While another city will host the Olympics and reap the fame, jobs, and economic benefit that will result from the honor, it can be said that Chicago has provided this nation a valuable lesson.   Chicago proved what can be done when eyes are pointed upwards and united efforts are never forgotten.  Meanwhile in Washington too  many shallow thinkers have had no other goal than to look down and try to rip and tear apart the national fabric in an effort to further their small-minded goals.  When it comes to any of the weighty national policies that needs to be confronted there are too many that know nothing but to be a nay-sayer, a shouter; all in an effort to undermine the President for political gain. 

Chicago won something far more than it lost today.  It won the respect of the nation for working together for the prize without being diverted by the small minds that never want to see that is possible ‘outside the box’.  That is no small victory in this most chaotic and troubled time in America.  For that reason I think Chicago is a winner!  I hope we all can learn the lesson that this fine city has given to us.