President Barack Obama. Mitch Traphagen File Photo
I wrote some of this as an editorial for my newspaper in Iowa in 2008. Four years later, I feel the same message applies. Compromise has been the foundation of our political system since day one. Had our founding fathers adopted a “my way or the highway” mentality, we certainly would not be the world leader we are today. As a nation, we are facing critical issues and they will be best resolved by working together. I fear that they won’t be resolved, or could even be made worse, should we remain bitter, divided and angry. This is our nation. We are more than the elected officials we see in the news. We are Americans first, last and always.
The votes have been counted, the nation has spoken through one of our most sacred and enviable rites. Barack Obama has been re-elected President of the United States. Beginning at this very minute, this is the time for Americans to unite and work together again in our nation’s interest.
The United States is at a critical juncture — we can fail and relinquish our position as the sole world leader or we can work together to restore our prosperity and our standing and leadership position on the world stage. It is likely that even our detractors are rooting for us — the world needs a stable, trustworthy leader — the world needs us. The gnashing of teeth, the innuendo, the sly, disrespectful comments and lies do nothing to further the American cause — such things only succeed in bringing about our end and ensuring failure. Now more than ever, we need to come together as a nation to show the world yet again what Americans can accomplish.
Today we are not Democrats or Republicans — we are Americans. “E pluribus unum” — Out of many, one. Beginning today, we must show the world just exactly what that means.