Let's just pick the two most mature men or women...

[Writer]

that we can find, one Democrat and one Republican, and sit them down in a room and make them talk so we can finally come to a compromise on where this nation stands philosophically. It's an elitist notion, but by now the level of puerility in American political discourse has reached its climax. It appears that each of us want to do more than defeat our enemy - we want to DESTROY our enemy. So Americans engage in dampening the debate down to childishness through name-calling, petulant trickery, and the like. Each of us do not realize that, by continuing to spiral downward, we are only making ourselves more vulnerable to even nastier behavior on the part of our political enemies when we next regain control.

But do we want to try a mature understanding of the other, leading then to compromise? No. That would be way too difficult, wouldn't it? Childishness is easier, so childishness becomes the choice of many.

Fuck a lack of respect for the other. Fuck the lack of willingness to compromise. I want a strong country. And I want us to mature.

The End.

[NanceGreggs]

1. Can I have an 'AMEN', people?

Excellent idea -- and I think the next Prez (whoever that may be) will win the election based on just that kind of attitude.

All Americans are sick of the name-calling, etc., which never amounts to anything of any substance being accomplished with respect to the economy, foreign policy, etc.

Also, very importantly, I believe that ALL Americans want to go back to being just that, one Nation -- not a Red State/Blue State football game that never ends.

If I could give any advice to the Democratic contenders in 2008, it would be this: NEVER refers to Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals, etc. ALWAYS talk in terms of 'the American people' - when people are referred to as one cohesive group, they tend to think of themselves in those terms.

I believe that's what we all want at this juncture -- I know it's what I want.

[11 Bravo]

2. ! wish you were right, but ...

but I disagree that all Americans are sick of the name-calling. We are constantly saying the same thing, then election time comes around, the Repubs go negative, and we lose. Here in Virginia the Democratic candidate for Gov is running an overwhelmingly positive campaign. His repuke opponent has unleashed an indescribably loathesome series of ads, using the death penalty as a cudgel, and even invoking Hitler. The race is dead even right now.

[Writer]

3. If the Republicans want to resort to that tactictry, then it's their own

damned fault. Fuck them. Americans know by now that they don't walk on water, that they're no better than the next son-of-a-bitch that takes office. If there are to be politicians in this country, and they choose to be the childish variety, then that's their own damned choice that carries with it its own damned consequences.

[RethugAssKicker]

4. I don't want to get along just to get along

The Rethugs policies are bad, just plain bad for this country.
They must be exposed and shamed. Their ideas/policies need to be abhorred by all!....

Again, thats whats wrong with us Dems, always trying to find common ground rather than taking the bull by the horn and fighting back with some backbone!

[Writer]

5. Then the next time we're in power

expect even worse behavior from the Repubs.

[RethugAssKicker]

6. Thats fine with me....

Doesn't matter anyway, they're going to give us hell no matter what we do... Don't you remember the treatment Clinton got?... Can't get any worse than that....

You sound afraid.... You think you need to appease them somehow. Nothing you do will ever get them to support your politics. They are neanderthals, plain and simple. We are too diametrically opposed to ever get along.

[Writer]

8. And I don't need your damned personal attacks.

Lay the fuck off.

[welshTerrier2]

7. how about 5 voices from across the political spectrum

two is too limiting ...

if you really want to show respect for other ideas, how about being more inclusive of ideas not "wishy washied" into the republican and Democratic big tents ...

[Writer]

9. 5 is fine. As long as they're mature enough to talk it out. n/t