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

The reasons for the continuing gridlock in our politics are numerous. This book is intended as the beginning of what must be an extended public dialogue

regarding some of the most important obstacles which have prevented resolution of the seeming paralysis infecting our body politic. Because the "great recession" has exposed and continues to fuel the latent animosities inherent in a society as diverse as America, the country is susceptible to public policy "solutions" marketed as mandates from the Founders of our Constitution. Indeed, suggestions abound both from the political "Right" and "Left" of the need to institute reform through the constitutional amendment process. But before Americans begin to accept the conclusion of those who advocate such change, it is absolutely essential that we evaluate the alleged need for amendment within the context of both the fears and aspirations of the Founders and the language of the Constitution ratified by the American people.

Indeed, the observations of Madison, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Franklin regarding human nature and the essentiality of creating a government system grounded in political compromise produced through our "joint wisdom" based upon an engaged and informed citizenry has been replaced by strident "political theatre" through the mass media and the constant barrage of debatable public policy "solutions" by oligarchical funded "institutes" and "foundations."

The Founding Visions incorporated into our collective covenant are the reflections of colonial Americans drawn from the ages. Their understanding of the dangers of concentrated power produced by "factions" drove them to design a governmental process which would "regulate" and "control" their impact on individual liberty and promotion of the public good. The last six years have seen numerous efforts at manipulating the co-equal objectives articulated in our Constitution without even the slightest effort to acknowledge the delicate balance implanted within the document or the historical context which drove the Founders in its creation. This project is an effort to identify the Framers perspectives on liberty and the public good and to remind us to think before we amend.

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.

Return to the real Contract with America, - the Constitution.

• Read the Preamble and understand the co-equal importance of its objectives.

• Take personal responsibility for the actions of your government. (Vote, attend a town meeting, participate in public policy decisions impacting your

life.)

• Demand transparency in the actions of those who you have placed in positions of the public trust - our political representatives. And be insulted by the

mass media''s presentation of our politics via "political theater" absent objective investigative reporting.

• Refuse to be placed in a "box" - think critically - be wary of those who divide us rather than bring us together.

• Applaud our rich diversity as a people - be tolerant.

• Demand political compromise through the balancing process established by the Founders.

• Think of your children''s future - Do we want gated communities with armed guards or a society which offers hope for a secure future regardless of social class, race, religion.