I Pledge Allegiance, To The Flag, Of The Divided States Of America...

“It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.” George Washington
What would Washington say if he was around today? After all, he did warn the country about the evils of political parties in 1796. Surveying the pomp and circumstance of our national conventions, the slander of our political attacks and the red state/blue state maps plaguing every channel, well, Washington would probably flip a lid.
Has the political party system created such a discheveled government that nothing can be accomplished? Some argue that a little healthy competition never hurt anyone. But when does healthy competition turn into bitter, raging warfare?
As the market presented, in the words of Warren Buffet, “an economic Pearl Harbor” to the nation, the compilement of the bailout bill quickly went underway. A 228-205 ruling rejected the bill this Monday and the question that remains on the minds of political pundits, journalists and the American people is this: who is to blame for this failure?
Did Nancy Pelosi’s “partisan speech” dissuade votes? Or was the issue an “incomplete proposal by the Republican party”? As we continue to play the blame game, I can’t help but be reminded of second graders on the playground quarrelling over a kickball.
How can we reassemble our crumbling system if neither party agrees to cooperate? In the battle between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, blue states and red states, news anchors and panelists alike need to know: who’s winning?
It doesn’t matter, because the American people are losing. The ongoing bickering of the estranged married couple that is the Democratic and Republican parties is only teaching my generation what not to do when we are given the power.
I vow to always listen to the words of those I disagree with most – chances are, I will learn a lot about myself and the other person. It is only with this mentality that real issues can be approached and resolved carefully.