The New Year

We begin 2013 with the nation facing crippling tax increases, a renewed debate on gun control and another debt limit ceiling predicament.

The Obama Administration (after four years) continues to act like middle-school delinquents declaring that, “It’s not our fault,” or “The Republicans did it.” Claiming that these three “crises” demand ever-increasing centralized federal power, control and spending, Democrats are determined to “never let a crisis go to waste” and further their agenda of shredding the Constitution and expanding the culture of dependency.

Republicans, meanwhile, are acting like Little Lord Fauntleroy in the face of back-alley thugs. They talk of compromise, finding “common ground” or recognizing reality in the face of the Obama victory.

They have circled the “firing squad” instead of “circling the wagons” and appear to be inept at providing effective resistance to the insidious evil of the impeding socialism, inflation and crippling debt.

What this writer wishes for this New Year is a modern Winston Churchill for America.

A man who by being eloquent in his statements, defiant in his resistance, unbending in his resolve, and wearing the “armor of his Lord” will successfully lead the opposition to victory over those destroying America.

I hope that we will raise the level of our political discourse.

Let’s stop our “thrust-and-parry” and start discussing the “why” of our differing positions. Let’s admit to each other that there is some validity in each other’s viewpoints even if we feel sure that other factors outweigh that validity. Then let’s try to accomplish that which we can agree on before dealing with that which we don’t.

I hope that we can overcome our fear of our extremist friends and supporters.

Those who feel most deeply about, or are most personally involved, in an issue are generally not the best negotiators, strategists or tacticians.

They tend to be blunt in their criticisms and insensitive in their considerations. We can be attentive to those who consider moderation to be the land of “traitors” and “sell-outs” and still summon the courage necessary for cooler heads to prevail.

Lastly, I hope that we all will more fully engage both intellect and soul.

Political service carries both honor and responsibility. Lives may be at stake, in essence or actuality. To the extent then, that we may be looked to for guidance by those less politically inclined, may we prove both to be worthy of their trust and true to our deepest selves.