November 11 was the 94th Armistice/Veteran’s Day in our nation’s history – ironic because this started at the end of World War I, the ‘war to end all wars’, and sadly this year was the first Veteran’s Day without a living soldier from that battle.
One thing we learned from our recent election is there exists a deep divide of where our country should be heading. Stronghold Democrats have an agenda of spreading the wealth and fairness while the Republicans have dug in their heels supporting positions of free markets, lower taxes and business creation. The results of the election didn’t change anything, in fact it reinforces the notion of a widen gap of Americans. Not only is it wide, but becoming nearly impossible to penetrate.
The demographics have turned sharply in favor of the Democrats. In this last election the blue party received more votes from women, Hispanics and younger-aged voters (18-25) than the red party, and this was mostly the case in 2008 as well. Is it more a case of avoidance or disgust? Probably a combination of both. In 2004 President GW Bush received a clear mandate from the voters with an election massacre over John Kerry. The ensuing four years were filled with calamity and disaster for the nation and economy, all shouldered by the President.
Voters put Republicans and the rest of the country on notice as the Congress swung to the Democrats. With the financial crisis deepening the Democrats used that pain to remind voters in 2008 and they won a super majority, which swung back in 2010 to a split house. What we are witnessing is the American public completely disgusted with no compromise, negotiation or settlement on the major agenda issues troubling our country: immigration, tax reform, foreign policy, security and lack of energy independence. Trouble is our politicians talk a great game but continue to kick the can down the road.
So how are we going to fix the problem? Clearly a discussion and compromise is in order. Just getting both parties to the table would be a good start. Whatever party you may support let’s be clear – the problems and issues belong to everyone, not just Republicans or Democrats. It’s quite the large hole we have dug but if there is anyone who can fix this over time (long time!) it is we Americans. There is not one of us who does not want to fix the problems (are they fixable?) before the consequences are met. Following this Veteran’s Day, where we honor all of those who defend and fight for every American’s freedom, perhaps we’ll see it all come together once and for all. I’m optimistic, but also realistic.
