Lack of faith in government is nothing new. Even though I think political rhetoric has grown to toxic levels in many cases, I have trouble searching my meager volumes of American History to pinpoint when politics were fundamentally civil and polite. I figure if Democrats can rally together to pass Health Care reform into law, and Republicans can, with a simple majority upon the next election, repeal said law, then why don’t we as citizens of this great nation, simply agree on a political fast? Here’s my plan. It’s simple, really.
1. Elect people to represent us in Washington.
2. Let them do as they wish.
3. After two years we ask for a “State of the Congress” report.
4. If we like what they’ve done, we reelect them. If not, we vote for someone else.
This is much more effective in my opinion, at least, it’s more effective then spending a year passing health care legislation, then spending a week to repeal it, even though the repeal is not going to pass the Senate, nor will the President sign such a repeal. This is the American Way, I suppose, but what I’m suggesting is that we allow this process to happen behind closed doors. I am in favor of speaking via vote, but I’m also tired of politicians monopolizing the morning news with adolescent name calling and truth-spinning to the point of absurdity. If they want to waste their time shooting spit balls at each other . . . fine, but . . . I’m think I’m done with it.
I wouldn’t be so opposed to daily congressional updates if the name calling weren’t so unimaginative. We have Republicans calling the President a Socialist. That’s lame, boring, and uneducated. We have Democrats claiming that Republicans are using Nazi tactics. Overdone. I mean, we always jump to using Hitler’s name. We don’t always have to go for the jugular. Why don’t we throw in Stalin or Baby Doc, now that’s a cool name that’s underutilized when talking about State-sponsored oppression.
My point is that why don’t we as a society give it up for a while? The law of supply and demand suggests that if we don’t demand our politicians to burn bridges, crucify the opponent, and stalemate the process for the sake of competing ideologies, then the supply will run out. There will no longer be a market for hatred, just an opportunity to do good work.
The new testament text this week seems to suggest the same. Paul writes, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. 12What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
So why don’t we take a break from partisanship for a while? Let us be of the same mind so that we can proclaim the Good News. There is a time to debate and discuss policy, but the debate itself has become the idol after which we order our lives. The fast is choose . . . elephants and donkeys. Peace be with you . . . no, really, I pray that you find peace this day.