Every Sunday Morning one of our local TV stations airs a program on local politics that usually has a panel of three.  It varies from whom is on, and it usually has members from both political parties.  Periodically it will even be a one on one interview with an elected representative, anyone from the Governor, to the Sheriff, to a Senator, and others.  The program always brings the political topics to a local point of view, and has become a Sunday morning ritual for me for many years, as we prepare to go to church.

I have seen, heard, and read, many times the last few months, many others (as well as myself) saying that Congress and President Obama are not listening to the people.  Admittedly, I must say that it often sounded like Republicans sniping, which is not uncommon for the out of power party to do, sad to say, but we have experienced it before, and undoubtedly will see it again in the future.  This compliant has been echoed by me in other hubs I have written (including one of my most recent hubs).  Sunday November 8, 2009, brought a shock for me to hear, on that very local political program I have watched for so many years, a Democrat say very much the same thing!  What!!!  This is a man who has been a Democratic Party insider, and saying the same things in his closing comments!!!  Well bless my britches!  Has hell frozen over?  All of a sudden, I concluded, that maybe there is a fire building within this smoke that might have once been thought to be nothing more than partisan politics.  Are we looking at the beginning of a “revolution” that may change politics?  By God’s grace we are.

A short time ago, I heard that the Senate was bucking passage of the Obama health care package.  The last week, the President was dealt losses in two Gubernatorial races that he personally campaigned in.  I thought, "Is the President showing chinks in his political armor"?  Then I read that his health care bill will not be going anywhere in the Senate.  WOW!!! Can this really be happening?  Pinch me!  Am I really awake?  Is this a reflection of what could happen in the 2010-midterm elections?  Could it be that both parties will suffer setbacks?  Will a new type of political leader be formed that will go back to the roots of our great Country?  Maybe, God forbid, a real Representative of the people?  We the people can only hope so, otherwise the goal of Government being “from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people”, you might want to see this hub, thanks readytoescape for the reminder.

I think this premise is true for all types of leaders (elected and unelected).  A leader MUST be sensitive to those that you have oversight of.  Failure to heed such concerns may very well jeopardize one’s future as a leader.  This might be well heeded no matter what type of leader you are elected, un-elected, business, or even union.  I was shocked to see that even union leaders are failing to listen to their constituents, look at this article and its follow-up article.

To The Republicans

You need to get back to your roots.  Throw out the abortion issue, as it is too divisive and polarizing, serving no one in this time of crisis.  Litmus must be laid aside while our Country weathers our current crisis (both political and economical), along with that, step away from the ultra-right of the "Christian right".  I say this as a Christian, it is not wrong that Christians get involved with politics, in this country, I believe it to be required as part of personal responsibilities as both an American and a Christian.  Just do not wear our faith as a banner to flaunt in front of everyone else.  Christianity is not a Country Club; it is a set of values by which we live.  Being a follower of Christ is divisive by nature.  Jesus said that himself (Matthew 10:34-39). The "Christian right" has become ever bit as such a "special interest" as Unions, NRA, NAACP, and ACORN, as unpalatable as it may or may not sound.  Next, get back to the roots of what Reagan Republicans really are, that is tax cuts and limited Government growth.

To The Democrats

You need to come more towards the middle from where you are headed now.  Face it, this Country as a whole is just right off center, and that is referred to as "mainstream".  In fact, maybe Republicans need to be reminded of that as well.  If President Obama has done one thing for this Country, it is that he has energized the average American to take notice of politics.  This was not too far from what a former Arizona Governor, Evan Mecham did for Arizona.

To All

I truly believe that most Americans want fiscally conservative views and more progressive social views.  Most Americans do not want Government taking over everything; this Country’s economy is driven by the small business, most people in this Country DO NOT WANT socialism.  All Americans treasure freedom; it is time for the political machine to take note.  A re-energized electorate is bad news for the political status quo.

My final thought is that we must preserve our freedoms to think and say what we want.  However, such freedoms come with responsibility.  That freedom does not provide us the right to be obscene, disrespectful, or threatening to anyone.  This freedom also mandates that we tolerate and here out those with differing views and thoughts.  Freedom to think and say what I want does not require others to agree with everything that I say or think, and those with other views should command the same respect that we ask for when we voice our own thoughts.