The Loudest Message

With a new year now officially underway, I find myself being drawn - sometimes reluctantly - to the many articles and reports attempting to analyze President Obama's first year in office. One question that continues to be asked and discussed revolves around how much difference he has made in helping eliminate the constant bickering and partisanship between republicans and democrats that has seemingly dominated the federal government for far longer than any of us wish to acknowledge. After all, didn't Obama vow to create a more collegial and even friendly tone in Washington, D.C. to help members of both political parties work together in harmonious fashion in ways we have not seen in probably over twenty years? Yes, he did. Was he successful? No.

Actually, I think the answer to that question is a bit more complex than a simple one or two word response might suggest. From my perspective, these past twelve months Obama did try to build bridges between the two parties. He did this in both word and deed. Unfortunately, for his words and deeds to be successful, the other "kids" in the sandbox needed to cooperate. They did not. My own theory is they did not want to. Doing so would have required them putting aside their egos, thirst for power and control, and self-interests. Apparently, that was and is too much to ask. Consequently, once again we as citizens all ended up getting less than we deserve in terms of efficient and meaningful government.

The failure to improve the tone in Washington, D.C. is not just Obama's. All of us own a piece of it. Many years ago someone once said in a democracy people get the government they deserve. On good days I like to think that is not the case. Unfortunately, as I look at the elected men and women who now comprise our federal government, those good days are few and far between. From a communication standpoint, Obama needs to keep plugging away. Despite the call of many of his supporters who are telling him to stop trying to reach out to members of the opposition party, as president, he should keep giving us the kind of representation that speaks to the best of us. Ultimately, the way to a public's heart is through openness, competency, honesty, consistency, and genuine concern. Granted, in today's climate these are not always easy messages to "sell," particularly since there are so many other opposing messages bouncing around the air waves. Still, there remains within me enough idealism to believe that the positive values of good communication as reflected in true bipartisanship will eventually shine through. Keep going for it, Mister President. I, for one, support your efforts.