Overnight, our daily habits and lives have changed. Industries and sectors of the economy have been upended in the blink of an eye. Upheavals induced by technology are everywhere.

Steve Jobs played a large role in changing the way we work, play, learn, and communicate. As much as anyone, he came to symbolize the integration and proliferation of technology in our daily lives. But, one of the reasons we don’t have enough jobs is that we can’t adapt fast enough to the changes that Jobs has wrought.

Jobs is credited with changing technology, but Jobs’ technology changed most jobs. Jobs have been transformed, and those working at technical jobs have changed other jobs. The skills of yesterday don’t fit the jobs of tomorrow. People cannot change as quickly as technology.

Jobs saw the future of technology and other areas such as entertainment, communications, and education, but we have yet to really understand the future of jobs. Jobs left it to others to figure out what to do in this new world. Technology is important, but technology is often not a solution, only a tool – but, a tool for what?

Like the job of being a citizen in the Internet age, it is easier to see how the old is no longer applicable than it is to see the new that is emerging. Instant clicks are not always compatible with thoughtful self-governance. We no longer know how to decide which so-called news is truly accurate in the information age. While everyone has the right to speak, how do we decide if that speech is right? The Internet age makes it easy to label people and ideas, but it also makes it more likely that the labels are wrong.

Jobs may have led the development of a new kind of technology, but he did not tell us how to adjust to the new kind of society that the technology brings with it. In a society that used to value work and labor, how do we value activities that must be sustained by intangible products like advertising and other forms of air? Not just a little air, but a lot of air.

Many services cost us nothing in return for exposing ourselves to the advertising of others. Now, Facebook and the like enable us to advertise ourselves. The millions of us using Facebook everyday do not make anything with our efforts. We work at something that costs us nothing and produces nothing – nothing tangible, at least, in the traditional sense. Is this the new work? If so, who pays us for our labors?

Like Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell before him, Jobs changed the nature of work and jobs. But what have jobs become? Is jobs another label that has no meaning? No jobs bill can answer that question.

Wealth will trickle down. We can cut taxes and increase government spending. Entitlements will never be reduced. Everyone is entitled to, and will receive, a quality education, a good job, and a comfortable life style. Wealthy people, and wealthy countries, can continue to possess a disproportionate share of the wealth.

No wonder people are fed up. There is too much dishonesty, too many unfulfilled promises, and too much rhetoric. There is shouting, instead of civility. There are labels, instead of ideas. There are attacks, instead of embraces. There are too many political games, too many tricks.

Like Halloween, politics is the art of deception. Wear a mask. Make something appear what it is not. Wear a costume to disguise reality. Except in politics, unlike Halloween, the masks and the costumes remain on the next morning. No wonder people don’t trust or believe the politicians.

But it’s not just the politicians. Anyone can dress up on Halloween to look like a Super Hero, when they’re only a regular person. And anyone can ask for something for nothing. We all ask for treats. We all want candy.

From the earliest age, we teach our kids to hold out an empty bag or bucket, and ask for candy. While they may say, “trick or treat,” most kids would never think of tricking if there were no treats. Yet, if any portion of the electorate thinks their treats, their benefits, or their entitlements, are in jeopardy, they get angry, they protest, they threaten electoral retaliation, and these days, they occupy.

Sure, Halloween is fun, but what’s the message? The average American family spends $21 on candy, and the department stores have their Christmas decorations out even before Halloween. Get candy and spend on gifts. Surely, we can enshrine greater values.

Fortunately, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Share a meal, and reflect on the year gone past. At a time when a fundamental American precept – namely, that the future for the next generation will be better than it was for the last – is under challenge on all fronts, think about what you will be thankful for next Thanksgiving. Think about the good in the future.

Forget the next election. Forget the labels. Forget the challenges. Pretend that politics, for at least a little while, is like Thanksgiving, not like Halloween. Now, that would be something to be thankful for.

Representative Democracy. We elect people to represent our views, to speak our voice, to cast our vote.

But something is not working. Our government is broken. Congress cannot get anything done. Our leaders are not leading. The solution is less government/more government; less spending/more spending; less rules/more rules, for us/for government. The answer is simple, if only …

And there is the problem. In this age of instant gratification, one-click media, and slogans and shouting, we have forgotten that democracy takes work. It was always difficult; now it’s even harder.

Much attention is being paid these days to the polarization of our political processes – from the effect of the Tea Party on the Republicans to the effect of the Liberals on the Democrats. We are not given moderate choices, so the argument goes. We cannot elect the thoughtful representatives we want, because we aren’t given the opportunity. But this, too, is an oversimplification. Democracy is about us – about We, The People – and if we don’t do the hard work, we surrender our Democracy to the Shouters and the Oversimplifiers. And then we get what we have elected.

Democracy requires respect for each other. We cannot all always be right. We cannot all prevail all of the time. Sometimes, we must each be a follower – and sometimes our elected leaders must be, as well.

Democracy requires conversation, not shouting. The Silent Majority must speak out, respectfully. We must all use our voices, constructively. We must converse with people with whom we disagree.

Democracy requires partnership, not just collaboration or compromise. We all have a stake in the outcome. Forcing one’s views or positions on others is inherently undemocratic.

Democracy requires a respect for knowledge. The right to express our opinion does not make our opinion right. Expertise and experience must be valued. The dumbing down of the conversation results in the dumbing down of our society.

We must put aside our labels. We must, in our own way, be the people who we want our democratic leaders to be. We must give voice to the thoughtful conversation that we want from our leaders. We must ourselves act the way we want our political process to be and our political leaders to represent.

There is no other way; there is no alternative. After all, that’s what Democracy is all about.

We know that we must be politically involved, and that we should vote. Nonpartisan organizations, like No Labels, countless issue groups, and even President Obama all encourage us to contact our representatives. But what else can we do?

How can we be Devout Citizens? How can we live our lives as models for what we want our families, our groups and organizations, and our nation to be?

To be Devout is to respect the values and interests of others. To be Devout is to be passionate and compassionate. To be Devout is to have a higher purpose in one’s life than merely one’s daily existence. To be Devout is to be committed to a cause or belief. To be Devout is to seek common ground for the common good.

A Devout Citizen avoids simple slogans and responses to the complex challenges of today. A Devout Citizen seeks to learn more and to understand the competing interests that must be balanced.

A Devout Citizen understands that no one can have their way all of the time, not political leaders and not ordinary citizens. Sometimes, we must follow. Sometimes, we must trust others to make decisions for us, and we must respect their judgment. Without followership, there can be no effective leadership.

A Devout Citizen creates space for conversations. In a world of instant communications, the ability to be heard does not automatically mean that one’s views will be respected or that one’s wishes will be followed. The right to be heard does not mean that one’s views are right.

A Devout Citizen sets a noble example for others to follow, and follows the noble examples of others. A Devout Citizen seeks the common good by building a Devout Community of noble examples.

It is time to put aside more than our labels; we must also put aside the idea that the solution to our problems lies with “them.” To think that if only “they” would compromise, seek common ground, and work in the best interests of everyone, is to miss a larger point. We are all part of the “they.”

We are all part of the problem, and we all can be part of the solution. We all create the society in which we live, and we all can make it better. We all can be kinder and more caring, more thoughtful and more respectful. We can all be Devout Citizens in a Devout World.

Imagine governing ourselves in peace and harmony. Imagine managing the affairs of state effectively and efficiently through thoughtful consensus. Imagine caring for the needs of those less fortunate in a fair and equitable way. Imagine providing the opportunity for everyone to learn and grow. Imagine fostering life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Imagine if we all were Devout Partners in our efforts to achieve these goals.

But partnerships are not just necessary in politics; partnerships are essential in our daily lives. For a world working well, we must all be Devout Partners throughout our lives.

To be Devout is to respect the values and interests of others. To be Devout is to be passionate and compassionate. To be Devout is to have a higher purpose in one’s life than merely one’s daily existence. To be Devout is to be committed to a cause or belief. To be Devout is to seek common ground for the common good.

Devout Partners do not win or lose; they succeed or fail together. Devout Partners achieve goals that benefit themselves and others, with the only measure being how close they are to the goal.

Devout Partners enable and empower others. Devout Partners are not competitors, because in a world working well everyone wins.

Devout Partners put aside labels that divide. Devout Partners focus on groups that encompass and embody the most people and the broadest categories.

Devout Partners are everywhere – in personal relationships, at home, at the workplace, in schools, and in public life. Devout Partners are people and organizations, groups and broad movements, you and I.

Devout Partners set an example as people in their lives and as organizations in their dealings. Devout Partners are leaders who cooperate, who compromise, and who seek consensus.

Devout Partners work for the common good, because partnerships are the basis for a world working well.

We can all be Devout Partners. We can all contribute to a world working well.

Today, many people claim to be, or want to be, a leader of one kind or another. But, we do not need today’s versions of yesterday’s leaders who dealt with yesterday’s challenges. Instead, we need Devout Leaders today to deal with tomorrow’s challenges.

A Devout Leader is thoughtful and wise, a teacher and an inspiration, a person whom others naturally wish to follow.

A Devote Leader sets a vision that people can embrace, and then builds a consensus around both the vision and the ways to achieve it.

A Devout Leader builds people up and ennobles the community.

A Devout Leader enables people to be more than they would otherwise be.

A Devout Leader guides people in the interests of the common good.

The glue that holds our society together is disintegrating. Not only are we losing our ability to govern ourselves, but we cannot even get along with each other. Now, everyone has the ability to shout, which amplifies our differences, our biases, and our intolerances. And, too many of our so-called leaders promote the politics of these differences, biases, and intolerances.

Instead of would-be leaders who would label and divide us, we need Devout Leaders who will bring us together, who will help us find common ground in this new communications age. We need Devout Leaders to guide us in Devout Politics.

Politics is not just electoral politics; politics is the process by which people live together. Politics is the manner in which people manage their collective affairs. Politics is the way in which groups of people, any groups, make collective decisions.

To be Devout is to respect the values and interests of others. To be Devout is to be passionate and compassionate. To be Devout is to have a higher purpose in one’s life than merely one‚Äôs daily existence. To be Devout is to be committed to a cause or belief. To be Devout is to seek common ground for the common good.

You can be a Devout Leader in your community. You can be a Devout Citizen by supporting only Devout Leaders. We should expect nothing less of ourselves and our society.

Politics is the process by which people live together. Politics is the manner in which people manage their collective affairs. Politics is the way in which groups of people make collective decisions.

We, The People, are the Body Politic. We may agree; we may disagree. We may have different viewpoints, skills, interests, desires, and ambitions. But, we are all The People. Not some of us, but all of us. The only way to live in collective harmony is to find common ground, and this requires a common language that focuses on the positive and on our collective hopes and dreams for ourselves, our groups, and our nation. There is no alternative.

To be Devout is to respect the values and the interests of others. To be Devout is to be passionate and compassionate. To be Devout is to have a higher purpose in one’s life than merely one‚Äôs daily existence. To be Devout is to be totally committed to a cause or belief. To believe in Devout Politics is to seek common ground for the common good.

Devout Politics is the way we must live together. It is not a dogma or a religion. It is not a political party or position. It is not a label or a set of rules or regulations. Devout Politics is a way of life.

The Devout Citizen recognizes that rights come with responsibilities. The Devout Citizen cherishes those rights and embraces those responsibilities.

The Devout Leader is thoughtful and wise, a teacher and an inspiration, a person whom others naturally wish to follow. The Devout Leader guides the Body Politic, the Devout Citizenry, in the interests of the common good.

As time and distance shrink, and as our individual interests become ever more intertwined with those of our neighbors and with the far distant peoples of the world, we must manage our lives and ourselves differently from the way we’ve done so in the past. We must each live a life of Devout Politics. We must each be Devout Citizens, and we must seek Devout Leaders. There is no alternative.

More recently, the American Enterprise Institute’s Frederick M. (Rick) Hess writes in his latest book, “The Same Thing Over and Over: How School Reformers Get Stuck in Yesterday’s Ideas,” about why we need to rethink our ways of teaching and schooling and what real reform might look like. According to Hess: “Both sides of the reform debate are getting it wrong: defenders of the status quo want to return to traditional schooling designed for the nineteenth century, while progressives patch together piecemeal reforms on top of a crumbling structure. … We need to reexamine our entire school system with today’s needs in mind.” Hess, like many others, is right; let’s hope that he’s not too premature.

Nothing else illustrates the folly of our debate over education in this country more than the current battle in Wisconsin and other states. Putting aside issues relating to the rights of teachers’ and other public employees’ unions, few would disagree that state budgets for everything, including education, are in deep trouble. Yet, 7,000 kids per day drop out of high school. We could fix and fund every high school in America and still not solve the education problem. More and more kids aren’t even in school!

Our schools today are vestiges of the past. Given today’s technology, why do we still think that formal education must happen in a building only during a few structured hours a day? Fixing schools does not mean fixing education, because we‚Äôre not seriously addressing the staggeringly large numbers of kids who, like it or not, aren’t even in school?

What do we do? Online teaching software? Remote tutoring and teaching? Informal or formal neighborhood classes? Why can’t some of the very intelligent and highly motivated people in our communities help teach our kids? Or, at least, help teach our teachers? Why can’t we have a national effort to harness the power of technology for education and learning? Why do we squabble over yesterday’s issues, while our future drifts away? As Hess says, “we need to recognize how circumstances have changed and embrace a diverse array of reform efforts suited to the twenty-first century.” Our children are depending upon us.

We all know that housing values, for example, continue to fall. So, naturally, there are calls for the government to do something about this. Unfortunately, part of the housing problem is our own fantasy.

Say you bought a house for $100,000 and then five years later sold it for $150,000. Where did the $50,000 profit come from? In effect, the buyer paid you $10,000 a year for five years to live in your house. This is the equivalent of a Ponzi scheme. The money from the next person is used to pay the previous person.

While it’s tempting to think of a house as an investment – and we all want our investments to increase in value – in many ways a house is more like a durable good, which is generally defined as a good that does not quickly wear and can be used for a long time. Cars, refrigerators, even jewelry are durable goods; yet, they do not usually increase in value over time. Housing values simply cannot continue to increase – nothing can – so, sooner or later, housing values have to decrease, no matter how good other economic factors are.

The broader problem here is a simple “A-B-C Pattern.” A creates something. B benefits from it. And, C pays for it. This pattern is woven throughout our society. Suggest to a friend that they don’t pay for television content – say, the Super Bowl or a movie – and they’ll say that the advertisers pay for the content. This is an example of an A-B-C pattern.

Users comment or complain about Facebook’s policies, but Facebook’s users are not its customers. Facebook’s users are its product. Facebook’s customers are its advertisers. Again, an A-B-C pattern.

Look around, and you will this A-B-C pattern everywhere. It’s even behind much of the current economic debates. We want the benefits that governments can bestow, but we don’t want to pay for them.

But, sooner or later, the bill always comes due. Values cannot continue only to go up. Someone else will not always pay for our benefits. Governments cannot do more while the citizens pay less. There will always be advertisers, and in some situations values will go up, but we cannot expect our leaders to be realistic unless we are, too.

Much has been written about the death of bin Laden and what it means for al Qaeda, about the possibility of retaliation and the sense of closure for the families of those who died on 9/11/2001, and about how the U.S. action was justified and justice was served. But having learned about bin Laden’s death on the 60^th anniversary of the day that we learned that Adolf Hitler was dead, it’s worthwhile to take a moment to think about some broader issues, as well.

Like Hitler before him, bin Laden promoted superiority (the superiority of his religion, his ethnicity, and his viewpoint) when, in fact, all he really demonstrated was hatred and bigotry. Bin Laden personified death and destruction, and in a way that wise 9-year old girl was right. It is a tragedy that we had to resort to bin Laden’s tactics to rid the world of his evil presence. But, there is something else that we can do about his ideas. We can reject them, more forcefully and more publicly than ever before.

Civility, respect, and tolerance were bin Laden’s real enemies, not the U.S. or the Western World. Knowledge and freedom for all, men and women alike, were bin Laden’s greatest fears. Dividing and labeling people were his tactics. Ignorance was his kingdom.

What kind of world would bin Laden hate the most? Not just a modern world, but also a world in which his ideas, his values, his beliefs, and his tactics are rejected. A world that lives in peace, harmony, and tolerance. A world in which we put aside our labels and our prejudices, and we respect the views of others, even if we do not always agree with them.

You and I can reject all that bin Laden was and represented. You and I can be all that bin Laden was not. You and I can be friends and colleagues. You and I can be compassionate and caring. You and I can be Devout Citizens of the World.