It is one thing for right and left to disagree, but still practicably negotiate, compromise, and forge a united and decided path forward.
And it is quite another for the polarization to become so deep-rooted that it becomes obstructionist to our national security and progress.
Unfortunately, we are beyond the point where large portions of the governing of this country has become fundamentally go nowhere and do nothing.
Whether from immigration control to closing Gitmo, from reducing the national debt to tax reform and robust economic growth, from funding the fight against the Zika virus to developing a meaningful space exploration and colonization program, from controlling the proliferation and dangers of weapons of mass destruction to sensible policies on gun rights/control, we are deep in political gridlock.
The result is lots of executive orders and regulations, but little significant lasting legislation, abiding decisions, or national momentum in any particular direction.
Our red lines are erased and our finish lines are grossly undefined--we are becoming a nation aimless, adrift, and without directed and meaningful goals.
Further, in the process of mental, emotional, and global disengagement, we have alienated our friends and embraced our foes and confused everyone in between.
Moreover, our inconsistency and weakness has made us less safe and emboldened the resurgence and militarization of deadly adversaries like Russia, China, North Korea, Iran as well as radical Islamist terrorism.
As a nation, we cannot be ruled by spectrum divisiveness between Democrats and Republicans, between races, between genders, between socio-economic classes, between religions, and between the public and the police.
There are two critical things we need to bridge the huge divide that is engulfing us:
One is strong leadership with the integrity that can be respected and followed by everyone on all sides of every aisle.
Two is focused commitment to our underlying values of democracy, freedom, human rights, entrepreneurship and innovation.
When we have leadership that unites rather than divides, and we maintain our good and fundamental identity then once again, we will be able to go forward together towards peace and prosperity for not only ourselves, but ultimately the progress and good of the world. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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