The Change We Need

By Caleb Van Bloem and Dan Jackson
Monday, November 10, 2008

Our political discussion has become more and more rancorous, and sadly our debate seems to revolve around who can most quickly discredit the other party, rather than address the issue at hand or the proposals of the other party. These petty indulgences were once a luxury we could afford. The Cold War had been won and the nation was at peace. Yet, now many Americans believe that the challenges we face are too big to continue down this road. We must discover again: what unites us, how do we balance our different ideologies, and how do we form a more functional and civil government?

Unity:

What makes America worth fighting for? What makes the sacrifice of those who have died in its defense worth the price? Really these questions ask the larger question: what is America?

Is America a deeply flawed great power that needs radical transformation?

Alternatively, is America a source of good; a shining city, calling those who wish to live free and achieve?

Or is the answer somewhere in between?

Whatever the answer, there is something that unites us as a nation, some form of shared principles, values, and beliefs. We are not a tribal nation fighting only for family regardless of their morality. Instead, as a nation we were forged from the fires of a principled revolution, and our founding document was formed through a passionate and honest debate over what principles would animate our nation. What are those principles that we share? What keeps us together after all this time?

The vast majority of Americans believe that we each possess inherent rights, and many of those rights are enumerated in our Bill of Rights. Some Americans believe there are more rights not contained in the Bill of Rights, but most at minimum believe in those. These rights are what bind us in a common cause; a cause to defend these rights for one another and preserve a future with these same rights for our children. We can't examine every right here, but some of these rights include: the right to debate and petition government, the right to self defense, the privacy of our homes, the right to a just criminal process, and that all our laws apply equally to all citizens.

These are some of the ideals we hold in common that we can and still unite around. Let us not lose sight of these as we engage in our political debate.

Democracy:

In an election year where “change” has been a common phrase echoing from both sides of the political spectrum; it is evident that the theme has resonated with the majority of voters. While it may have become a convenient buzzword in the final months leading up to the election, it is obvious that Americans voted for change over what they felt was the status quo. Given the inherent ambiguity of the word, especially in a political context, we are left to ponder the specifics. What is the change that America voted for?

Was the “change” that the majority of Americans embraced a radical ideological shift to the left? We submit that it was not. Instead they voted for the end of a political culture that has been rendered stagnant and ineffective by years of increasing polarization, and fiscal irresponsibility.

Compromise has become increasingly rare in this day and age when the interest on one’s party is put before effective governance. In Washington, partisan power and influence are maintained at the expense of the American people. History teaches us that this type of polarization, and the obstructive practices that accompany it, is an enemy to democracy.

Americans have grown dissatisfied with the hypocrisy of a Republican party that preaches fiscal responsibility and limited government, and when in power practices the opposite. They now hope that the Democrats have managed to change their ways after they were voted out in the 1990s. Yet, if their time in the minority and two years in congressional majority is any sign of things to come, we remain quite cautious in our optimism.

Toward Loyal Opposition:

We call upon government officials on both sides of the aisle to bring about real change by ending this destructive political culture, and to work in the spirit of compromise towards effective solutions for the major issues that now face our nation. Now in the minority, Republicans need to be the loyal opposition. Opposing on principle is the strength of our republic, but loyalty is also necessary. Loyal opposition is demonstrated by reaching back when the other side reaches out in good faith and by supporting the president when they think he’s right. We do not ask America's parties to sacrifice their ideology or the right to dissent, but rather to put their nation before their party.