There is a rather simple fact of life that is all too easy to overlook. Each of us – Yes, all of us – has needs, problems and vulnerabilities that exceed our individual capacity to cope. As smart as we are, as wise as we are, as capable as we are, going it alone just doesn’t cut it. We can’t survive by ourselves.

Friends and family are essential. Companions and community are essential. Resources and opportunities are essential. Yes, even bureaucrats, politicians and government are essential. It takes the whole package to make it work; and if any element is absent, our jeopardy increases.

We are entering the biannual moment when elections and politics take center stage in our collective consciousness. Whether or not we want to give them our attention, they will demand it, will force themselves on us. It will quickly be impossible to get through the day without being messaged, without being told that our vote counts and just who they think should get to count it. …

In the United States, we find ourselves in a representative democracy. That means that, for the most part, we don’t get to vote for what we want. Rather, we only get to vote for people who may or may not focus their political time and energy on assuring what we want. They may do what we want them to do, may do our bidding, may serve our interests. Then again, they may not.

I am wondering how it might work if instead of voting for someone who only might do what I want done, I could vote directly for what I want, what I think would be best for me, my neighborhood, my community, my county, my state, my country. In my alternative reality, I can simply point and say, “Fix that, change this, just make it happen,” and happen it does.

What will I pick from this political buffet? Let me share with you the items I want on the menu and we can then choose together. I am quite hungry for the changes for which I hope but will see it as great progress if any one of my political menu choices gets serious and sustained attention anytime soon.

• The misuse and abuse of alcohol, drugs and similar substances.

• Domestic violence within families and trusting relationships.

• Child maltreatment including neglect, abuse and adult indifference.

• The continuum from inadequate and unsafe housing to homelessness.

• Inadequate and ineffective education for many children and teens.

• Neighborhood and community crime and violence.

• Employment where a day’s work won’t secure sufficient food, housing and security.

• Hunger and malnutrition.

• Inadequate physical and mental health care.

• Unhealthy physical, emotional and social environments.

• Dangerous and unsafe streets and neighborhoods.

What have I put on my menu that you don’t want on yours? What do you want on your menu that I have not included on mine? Does it seem likely that we will be able to agree on a few items that we both want, that we both believe should be priorities? I’m definitely open to cleaner lakes and rivers, safer roads and bridges, less poverty and more prosperity, less division and more equality, more inclusion and less rejection, more doors and fewer walls.

I also worry about our not being able to compromise and negotiate, about our different perspectives and disagreements, and those times when the gap between my wants and yours tempt us to dig in and consider not working together, not working out our differences. I fear that one of us will be so rigidly opposed to the wants and priorities of the other that we refuse to participate. It’s like one of us refuses to dine together if ice cream is left off the menu, while the other one demands pickles, or no one eats.

It would be as silly as it sounds were it not for the current political real...