Party politics has started to bother me more than it has in the past. Maybe it's because I am now 52 years old and I am losing patience with the childlike actions of our two parties. As much as I hate to admit this, it might be because I am maturing. As I grow older, my vote and my time have become much more valuable to me. It bothers me that I have to spend so much time sorting through the trash talk to get to any substance. I hate the feeling that my vote has been wasted on a politician who spends half of his or her time bad-mouthing the other party. The other 50% of their time seems to be spent on posturing for re-election. I studied the "old math", but it still appears by my calculations, that there is very little time left for the leadership and policy-making side of the political process. We can no longer afford to spend our time trying to divide the country on party lines. There is no time for such ridiculous and counter productive games. The current environment continually points to the need for more bipartisan, or even better, non-partisan efforts. Some pieces I have written recently about bipartisan political relationships brought about responses that made me search for a starting point of a solution.
Of course, some of the first critics of ideas were the predictable defenders of the parties. I am talking about the self- proclaimed "defenders of the American way as long as it's the Good Party way". Every issue is left or right. These are often the people who are so narrow-minded that when spying on the other party, they can look through the keyhole with both eyes at the same time. There are many problems with this mentality. The biggest challenge is that if you constantly turn left or constantly go right, you will be going in circles. The only difference would be whether you were traveling clockwise or counter clockwise. That being the case, I always ignore the Protectors of the Parties.
Several other comments were made about the idea of bipartisan representation sounding great in theory, but it was a pipe dream. The thoughts were that the current parties are too entrenched in our system for things to change. I cannot accept that. The United States was built on the belief that government is about the people, not about the party. We are charged as citizens of this representative government, to protect that premise. If we lose sight of this basic concept or concede to party politics, we forfeit our most powerful freedom. It is our responsibility to insure this government stays "of the people, by the people and for the people". Thomas Jefferson and his buddies might have been flexible on some issues, but that is cast in stone.
As I searched for a starting point on the trail to change, I realized that if we were to have the politicians understand and react, we had to start at the beginning and keep it simple. We had to let them know what is expected of them from day one. I figured we needed something like THE POLITICIAN'S TEN COMMANDMENTS. My mind flashed to the recent problems the standard Ten Commandments caused in front of public buildings
and I immediately filed that one away... Maybe we could have a TOP TEN LIST of expectations. I also dismissed this idea thinking David Letterman would probably mess with us. I was then visited by the ghost of revolutions past; George Washington. George said, "Maybe we need a POLITICIAN'S BILL OF RIGHTS.... AND WRONGS". I pointed out to good ole' George that we weren't talking about rights. We are talking about responsibilities. It will be the document every elected official will sign and swear to uphold before casting a single vote on our behalf. It will be the document that we will use to hold our representatives accountable.
At the risk of creating widespread panic about separation of church and state, I have returned to my original thought plus one-
THE POLITICIAN'S ELEVEN COMMANDMENTS
As an elected official in the United States of America, I hereby pledge from my heart and soul to represent and lead my constituents as per the following pledge:
1. I will represent the PEOPLE of my town, city, district, state and/or my country.
2. I will not represent a political party or vote simply on party lines.
3. I will vote for and fight for what best serves the people.
4. I will not be for sale.
5. I will fight against wasteful and ineffective programs that are only still in place for political reasons.
6. I will fight to bring an end to poor practices like earmark legislation.
7. I will respect America and Americans by not using our political system for personal gains.
8. I will work to keep my constituents informed and involved.
9. I will always treasure and honor the trust the voters have shown in me.
10. I will vote for what is right and not what will get me re-elected.
11. I will lead and govern in a way that would make my momma proud.
Pledged_____________________________________
Representative of the PEOPLE
I am sure we have left a couple of important rules out, but I think we are off to a good start. I know it sounds too simple, but it really is that simple. Remember the '69 Mets- "You Gotta Believe!" So let's all ask our representatives to stand tall and take the pledge. Ask them to give up their party labels and find the best of what is available to serve the people. I have a dream that one day there will be no more fights between Democrats and Republicans. I have a dream that we will have leaders called REPUBLICRATS who will act only in the country's best interest. I have a dream we will have leaders who will make their mommas proud.