Confronting the Politics of Gridlock, Revisiting the Founding Visions in Search of Solutions

It''s time. For the last six years the most strident and loudest voices have driven our culture and politics. The result has been the marketing of ''divide and conquer'' politics and a distortion of our Founding Values. It''s time to begin the task of ''rebalancing'' the Nation''s priorities through political compromise and the reinvigoration of an engaged public. It''s time to demand that the loudest voices sit down. It''s time for Americans to stand up and demand leadership from those who hold the public trust - our political representatives.ΓÇó Return to the real Contract with America - the Constitution.ΓÇó Read the Preamble and understand the co-equal importance of its objectives.ΓÇó Take personal responsibility for the actions of your government. (Vote, attenda town meeting, participate in public policy decisions impacting your life.)ΓÇó Demand transparency in the actions of those who you have placed inpositions of the public trust - our political representatives. And be insultedby the mass media''s presentation of our politics via "political theater" absentobjective investigative reporting.ΓÇó Refuse to be placed in a "box" - think critically - be wary of those whodivide us rather than bring us together.ΓÇó Applaud our rich diversity as a people - be tolerant.ΓÇó Demand political compromise through the balancing process established bythe Founders.ΓÇó Think of your children''s future - Do we want gated communities with armedguards or a society which offers hope for a secure future regardless of socialclass, race, religion.