Visiting Home?

December, 2007

As an American living abroad the last 10 years I am stunned by every visit stateside. The polarisation of red vs. blue coupled with this seemingly blind Archie Bunker sitcom style "America Love it or leave it!" The phrase God Bless America is more demand than prayer and the pasting of the flag on every object moving or not coupled with the near rabid assertion that if I knew THE truth (i.e. their truth) I could not say what I say, drives me nuts.

When did the middle ground disappear and why? Where are the leaders of strength and conviction like Tip O'Neil who could reach across the aisle and find/forge compromise for the good of all. When did we forget that we row together or fall apart was meant to keep the ship floating?

Every time I ask an honest question to learn what motivates blind faith and ignoring the lies and distortions or worse seeing nothing wrong with them raises my blood pressure a few points.

I'd sure like the chance to have an open dialogue to understand how we got here and more importantly what it will take to get our land centred again without the radical fringe of either party calling the shots.

Living in the UK there are 10 major national daily newspapers and people read them. The populace is involved in governing and there are many more parties than our two. The greatest demonstration of democracy occurs every Wednesday afternoon when Prime Minister's questions takes place and members of each party ask difficult questions of Gordon Brown. Can anyone imagine “W” sitting still for a half hour and taking it on the chin publicly every week?

He should. It might have saved a few thousand lives and loss of global standing. How do we bring it back to centre and make govt. accountable to we the people?