So I have a question. If any party (or non-party…or party wanna-be) is REALLY “for” the ideals of the founding fathers, will their representatives actually be willing to negotiate their own special interests for the best interests of the nation at large?

I ask because a couple of misguided folks stopped by my house recently to persuade me to support their candidate. Apparently, I misbehaved by suggesting that ALL special interests need to be on the table – not just the ones they/their candidate don’t like. I was subsequently verbally attacked and one of the reps actually said they didn’t need to talk to me (because I didn’t agree with them.) Hmmm….that IS sort of the root of the problem isn’t it?

I’d like to see Congressional representatives attempt to work with each other to get our country out of what I see as a downward spiral of self-serving, catty and immature behavior typically found in the halls of the local junior high.

Yes, we owe too much to others and we do need to protect our founding principles. We depend too much on profiteers for self-serving expertise; the self-serving come in many disguises. But…if it IS broke you SHOULD fix it. It really ISN’T leadership if all you do is gripe about your opponents. ( Even little kids know how to whine! Smart parents don’t reward tantrums by giving the naughty child more power. )

Negotiation and compromise are not evil – they are a necessary part of what makes a democracy tick. If these entities and individuals are REAL patriots they need to quit whining, stop bullying and learn to listen and compromise.

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Here is a Biblical quote that might be helpful to those who only want to listen to those of their own faith:

The Lord says, “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

-Jeremiah 29:7 (NRSV)