A Simple Choice

          America is an exceptional nation. Our national heritage and character have forged a people of extraordinary potential. However, we are an exceptional people when we behave exceptionally. We can't wear “Exceptional” like an honorary title or doctorate. “Exceptional” is a standard which must be earned.....everyday.....through our actions.

          We are a People of destiny. But our national destiny must be commonly forged...by all Americans. Our exceptionalism is in our own hands. Edward R Murrow reminds us that “our future lies not in our stars but in ourselves.””

           Exceptional achievement requires common vision collective resolve, and concerted action. However, our ability to act as a nation has recently been jeopardized. Our Congress is ideologically entrenched and divided. Jesus points out that a house divided against itself cannot stand. This passage was quoted by Lincoln the last time in our history our ability to govern became intractable. Lincoln appealed for unity and the street responded with Civil War. We might need another one, a political civil war, to break the stranglehold of extremist intractability we now face.

          Much attention, energy and passion is currently focused on the Presidential race. Most Presidents are mere figureheads, with little personal ability to affect change. National solutions are not found in the Presidency.

          Presidents are blamed for many things they don’t do and have no control over. They don't create jobs, make laws, repeal laws, spend money, increase taxes, or create deficits, regardless of strident daily media contentions to the contrary. That’s Civics 101. Congress does all those things. Our focus, attention, and passion should be directed towards who is sitting in Congress.

          Our nation is in a crisis and at a crossroads. In two months, we collectively face three monumental political/economic decisions. We need legislators that can effectively govern. Our legislators currently cannot effectively govern. Regardless of who takes the White House, the creation of a functional Congress should be our top national priority. Like our national destiny, our political institutions must be collectively and intentionally forged and refined.

          We do not receive our Constitution from God, passed through Jesus, to Moses, to the Founding Fathers, to the average exceptional Joe and Jane on the streets. Our Constitution and nation was founded using bipartisanship, the ability to strongly disagree and yet craft a legislative way forward for the American People.

          Our Founding Fathers had profound ideological disagreements. While crafting the Constitution during the stifling heat of summer, they locked the windows and doors so that people in the street could not hear them screaming at each other. Their legacy shows that it is okay to disagree. It is okay to scream at each other. We are a nation of disagree-ers and screamers. Their legacy also shows that we are a nation that is willing to listen, respect, find common ground, and craft a way forward.

          Our founders did not want to create a parliament, where one side wins all. Our current national political logic leans toward capturing all political institutions for their Party. Rather, our Founders envisioned an adversarial yet productive form of governance based on the principles of discourse, respect, and bipartisanship.

          We are in a crisis and at a crossroad. We all need a collectively clear choice. Here it is. Since our form of government is based on the ability to reach across the aisle, we should view any legislator who devalues or opposes these core principles as someone opposing the fundamental tenants of our Democracy. We should fire them.

          We must guard both our liberty and our ability to govern from those who would seek to seize the reins of power and distort our political system. Some political circles hold the view that bipartisanship is considered weak and treacherous. Anyone who doesn’t agree with me is the enemy and an illegitimate un-American traitor. They are not fit to hold office, even if they are within my own Party. These enemies of bipartisanship are enemies of the American People. Their distortion of our fundamental political values must be purged.

          These intractable legislators wrap themselves in ideology, patriotism, and religion to justify their stance. We can't back down or compromise. It would be like denying my faith. Sparky, you ain't running for Pope. We need a legislature that works, however flawed. We don't need a bunch of true believers sitting around drawing a public paycheck. We need people that will work, and work together. I love it that you have immovable beliefs and values. Save them for the cracker barrel, not our national Congress.

          I want to be clear that I'm not advocating any Party, policy or position. I don't really care who's in there as long as they can work together. If they can't, fire them.

          We are in a crisis and at a crossroads. Let's make this choice real simple. We need a Congress that works .....bottom line. Creating a Congress that works is our job not their job. If we currently have people in there that can't work together or refuse to work together, it's our fault.

          Priority one, know the collaborative track record of the people on the ballot in front of you. Creating a government that works is your responsibility. Anyone who opposes bipartisanship and collaboration must be fired. So fire them.

          Firing these people will not solve our national problems, but if we can't pass legislation, we can't move forward. We stay broken. If we can't move forward, we’ll be sitting in our trenches grumbling four years from now waiting for the next offensive. Don't end up in a roadside ditch. If you want to open up the political landscape, make support for bipartisanship the sole criteria for your vote. Throw out enough of the guys who can't work together and the rest of the guys will get the message.

             So this election season, vote for whoever you want to for President and the wrong road they’re pointing down. Focus your attention on Congress, because whether Congress can function determines the future of our nation.

          
               I recall the word of Pericles, “I am less concerned about the strategies of my enemies and more concerned about my own mistakes.” It is up to us to define the 21st century, to determine what we shall become. It is up to us to get our house in order anc achieve that vision. The future is ours to determine, but that determination will require rethinking, retooling, renewal, and re-prioritizing. It will require chnging coure and making tough choices. It will require working together.