This post is adapted from one I wrote on my blog, Charging Rino, on April 19, 2024, in commemoration of Patriots' Day. I called then for a Revolution of Reason, to bring our government back from the brink of the partisan abyss to the stable ground of centrism and unity. As this fall's elections and then the 2024 presidential contest draw ever closer, I think it's worth reiterating the point once more.
Our country faces untold challenges in the years to come: ensuring that tomorrow's retirees have a stable Social Security system to look forward to; protecting our nation from terrorist attack and reaching the goal of a stable Iraq; drawing down our national deficit and returning to a state of fiscal responsibility; reforming our immigration system in a comprehensive fashion; changing the way our congressional districts are drawn and putting an end to partisan gerrymandering ... the list goes on and on and on. And yet America's political leaders spend our time and our money on issues that serve to distract us from those key issues, obscuring what matters with a thick smokescreen of partisan divisiveness.
On all those issues above and on a great many more, there are areas of common ground on which the vast majority of Americans can agree. And yet no progress can be made because those who represent aren't willing to give up partisan brownie-points for the good of the country.
This Revolution of Reason that I propose will not be an easy task. There are those at both ends of the political spectrum who dislike reasoned debate, because it's much easier to get on the evening news when you shout than when you make a quiet but sincere argument. The ideologues on the right and on the left don't believe in compromise, because they can raise more money to keep themselves in power from those outraged few who cluster with them at the fringes. It will be up to us, the mighty middle, the majority of whom until now have been too silent, to make our arguments heard. We can no longer watch in stunned horror, shaking our heads from the sidelines as the right and the left play political football with the issues of the day; we must take to the field, and we must commit ourselves to the cause of reason.
That's why I've joined Unity08, and why I support their goals. Like the Centrist Coalition and some other great organizations out there, Unity08 is not interested in simply notching up partisan points, but aims for solutions instead of smokescreens. I applaud the effort, and I hope that this movement will only continue to grow stronger as the voice of the center rises to the rooftops.
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I agree with the author that there are important issues that need to be addressed, and that our current leaders seem either incapable or unwilling to address them. I would suggest, however, not a 'Revolution of Reason' (although I believe that there needs to be a much more reasonable and intellectual approach to politics in this country) but rather a 'Revolution of Representation.' I believe that our leaders need to realize that they are, first and foremost, our representatives, and thus must actually represent our views, rather than their own interests or those of the various powerful special interest groups. Representation is what this country was founded on-- the idea that the government is one of the people, by the people, and for the people-- and we need to stress that more than anything else. We must demand that they represent us, because, quite simply, that is their job. If we can get our leaders to actually realize that they must do what is best for America and for Americans, then we will have achieved a significant victory.
The problem doesn't stem from partisanship, it is completely the restlt of practicee for 200 years turning congress into a parliament of embarrassment. All action and inacton stems from special interest money. There are thousands of examples. The ethanol caper is a recent perfect example.
John
The number one issue with me is immigration. The president and congress have really been asleep on this matter and let the situation get completely out of hand. The border should be controlled before they do anything about new legislation for guest workers unless it is to register them. The budget deficits are too high as well as the trade deficit. Free trade should be changed to fair trade and control our trade deficits.
The problem doesn't stem
John Baird on July 11, 2024 - 4:21pm
I agree with John but with a codicil. Agreed, the congress is populated by embarrassment. But so might be the voters. Campaigns, elections, and resulting legislation is mainly based on paybacks, freebies, giveaways, grants, make jobs, and contracts. Its the character of the voter that has to be addressed before any reform can take place.
We stand like so many before – but with a huge stick they did not have... it has/is being presented and now we ask the people to stand up and be part of the future or refuse liberty through security and let it end as a wonderful chapter about a dream in the book of history, a awsome dream that consumed itself with greed... God has delivered these tools on our watch, now lets roll ... www.appyp.com/fix_main.html