To the Editor:

Now that the voters of Newtown have brought more balance to our governing bodies, we need to take this opportunity to replace a dubious fetish with so-called “facts” with more judicious analysis of com-peting sources of information. “Facts” have a strange capacity of reinforcing the preconceptions and existing opinions of everyone who cites them, no matter the speaker’s political affiliation. Instead of tossing around the magic word “facts,” as if any time it is uttered an undeniable “truth” is not far be-hind, we need to admit openly that “facts” and “numbers” are merely tools for representing complex realities. And these tools are imperfect, prone to bias, and can never quite capture all the nuances of reality.  Instead, let’s all admit that we use “facts” and “numbers” to make arguments and to persuade each other to take a given course of action.  That is okay. In fact, it’s how democracy works. It may be messy, and it may take more time than we like, but we need to accept judicious discussion of competing “facts” as the best way to govern in a democracy.

We should not make a fetish of action for action’s sake, nor or of “facts” and “numbers” for their own sake. We need to admit that we have differences—differences of opinion, of course, but also differences in how we gather, organize, and assess the “facts.” And this is particularly true of “facts” about the fu-ture. These “facts” we should approach with special caution.

My congratulations to all of those who have volunteered their time and energy to win elected office in Newtown.  May you all now work together to argue the facts, openly and transparently, and work to-gether to provide a new vision for a successful Newtown.

Charles Baraw

9 Georges Hill Road, Newtown         November 4, 2015