We had an historic election, and Barack Obama is our President Elect. He has some initial missions to accomplish, according to his staff. Part of that mission is to set up a government that embraces bi-partisanship, is committed to doing hard work to get us back on track economically, help create jobs, and start repairing our alliances and position around the World.
We are a collection of different positions on issues, different political ideologies. I can’t help but think if we put our cynicism aside, and get out of our old way of thinking, these various ideologies and ideas can give us amazingly creative ways to solve some problems and get on the right track.
There are many people who have faith and practice it because of their religious beliefs. How about if we put this faith to work on a secular level? President Elect Obama says he believes in listening to opposing ideas. I’m going to take him at his word. Because unless we approach things from all angles, we might not come up with the best solutions. What do any of us have to lose by changing how we look at what needs to be done? By not being negative but trying to come up with solutions instead.
And you know what? We can hold our political leaders accountable to their mission statements. We really don’t have much to lose, do we? We can do this with our own communities as well. Let’s forget about how things have been done, and think about the possibilities.
One thought I have is how we register to vote for our elections. Here in Ohio, we have to declare ourselves Republicans or Democrats. I think that would be an easy change. We should be able to vote in primaries for all candidates in any party by registering as Independents. Or else, can we just change it so we can vote for everyone even if we ARE registered for one party or another. Just throwing that out because it seems civilized to me. What are the drawbacks, if there are any?
It’s hard not to look at what transpired tonight, historically, and not feel optimistic that anything really IS possible.
Let’s forget that we started off as conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican. I’m hoping I can really listen and that we can all really listen, to each other’s ideas. We are all in this boat together not on one side of the aisle or another. Let’s all have a bit of faith and concentrate on the possibilities.
Peace Out - 3C
3 responses so far ↓
1 May Bipartisanship Really Be The 21st Century Model // Nov 5, 2008 at 5:36 am
[...] May Bipartisanship Really Be The 21st Century Model …it because of their religious beliefs. How … vote in primaries for all candidates in any party by … off as conservative or liberal, [...]
2 Elaine Reese // Nov 5, 2008 at 8:32 am
I totally agree with a change to not having to declare a party in the primaries. I think the old days of voting the party line are over, and people judge the candidates and their beliefs or platforms rather than the political party.
Plus, if there was less emphasis on the party, perhaps, once they are in office, they might actually do a better job for the country and truly “reach across the aisle” without all the in-fighting.
Regarding the “anything is possible”, I agree that’s true for men. Still not true for over half the population!
3 Carole Cohen // Nov 5, 2008 at 10:35 am
Amen to no infighting Elaine. It’s so last Century!
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