Hello Wonk readers! Below is an editorial I wrote a few weeks ago as I reflected on where things stand. I hope that you enjoy it. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Until next week, Happy reading!

I worry a good bit these days. I don’t worry much about money or my health (though who doesn’t worry about their health these days!) I worry about my country. I am a moderate Democrat. I believe in civil rights, the need for an appropriate social services net, and the need to support the working class. Still, I know that we Dems don’t have all of the answers! The Republican Party has—until quite recently—had equally appealing values of self-sufficiency and self-worth. Theirs was the party which believed in hard work and ingenuity. Republicans fought tooth and nail to reduce the Federal deficit. You know what? Though I’m chagrinned to admit it: they were right!

Now, neither Party is recognisable to me—it literally breaks my heart! My own Democratic Party—rather than have rancorous meetings behind closed doors—chose to air all the dirty laundry publicly. Instead of finding common ground—which was actually required when I worked on Capitol Hill in the 1970’s—many see as weakness. (I heard one Democrat suggest that it was worth losing the House rather than compromise on the so-called Build Back Better bill.)

It appears that any hope of passing Voting Rights, too, will not happen. (News flash—I bet we could pick off some Republicans if we set our minds to it!) For their part, Republicans have in large part given up their intellects and follow the former President like a bunch of teenaged girls after their favourite rock star. Once a party with ideas, they now repeat half-truths and lies as truth. Neither party talks to each other—although there have been random outbreaks of bipartisanship here and there.

So, our great democratic government which has been a light to the world—lies in shambles.

We can—WE MUST—come together. We can start by openly acknowledging that the words “bipartisan” and “compromise” are not curse words! We need to listen and learn. I may vehemently disagree with those who follow the former President—but this is a free country!! We need to come together and work shoulder to shoulder. If I could—I’d mandate bipartisan soup kitchens! (Hard to fight when you’re feeding homeless folks who have nothing!).

Yet I must acknowledge that compromise begins with ME. That if I let it—hate can roll my heart consuming me with anger. We all need to take a deep breath and allow those with differing opinions to state their case. Likewise, we ALL need to simmer down. (If our grandmothers could hear the way we talk these days, we’d all be in a world of hurt!) Civility and compassion should be our guides.

My country. I pray for my country in the hope—the ridiculous hope—that we can find common ground.

Perhaps with working together—with civility and compassion—we’ll find common ground again.