It Ain’t Easy Being Purple  February 15, 2013

            Congress is crippled.  It cannot or will not deliver the governance this country needs and deserves.  Polarized seems inadequate to describe the ongoing congressional malfeasance born of gotcha politics on both sides of the aisle.  The old rule that you get the government you deserve is proven by this magnificent exception—this shameful display of the terrible two’s—this sorry soup of incompetence that none of us deserves.    

            Take heart, there is a path to adulthood.  It’s called conflict resolution.  There are many proven healing tactics that can be applied.  Individuals and committees can start by earnestly seeking compromise in structured ways that have been used for decades in the business world.  No, they are not perfect.  And yes, the birthers and the tree huggers are going to have to shut up and deal.  Fringe-group obstructionism, evident in nearly everything congress does, has to fall out of vogue.  There may be cause for optimism in the recent activity of newly elected members who have expressed their determination to turn things around.  Some of the rhetoric is familiar; some is encouraging.

            The key is that congress has to want to resolve differences.  Around here, we think that’s where all of us come in.  Repeatedly reminding our elected AWOL gang members that we want disputes resolved or we’ll support and vote for their opponents in the next election, could actually be a healing tactic.  That means work for us.  It ain’t easy being purple.