Strive to Find Balance in Life

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Voters Undermine Bipartisanship

We’ve all been hearing a lot these days about voters’ frustration with out-of-control partisan rancor in Washington and the failure for elected leaders in Congress to work together to get anything done. It’s a familiar refrain: Voters claim they want leaders to stop bickering and solve the nation’s problems. It all sounds civic-minded and lofty, but the truth is that voters really want nothing of the sort. They characteristically whine about Washington gridlock, but their voting decisions often contribute to, if not help perpetuate, the problem.

But the solution, if the public is truly feed up with partisan politics, is quite simple: Stop returning partisans to Washington! In a two-party system where voters have limited choices, partisan gamesmanship works to the advantage of both ruling political parties.

But voters have an antidote to this perpetual childish political nonsense: They can start electing more independents to Congress. If both political parties know their lock on power is threatened by a viable alternative, they will have no choice but to modify their behavior or risk election defeat and marginalization.
But of course this can’t work if voters keep allowing themselves to be pawns in the partisan political games both parties play to preserve power.

Oprah's Legacy

Oprah Winfrey elevated the talk show genre to a level few have been able to match. Instead of presenting a parade of mindless shows that exploited personal failings and social dysfunction for mere entertainment, Winfrey encouraged, inspired and motivated people to their best potential. She empowered viewers by offering thoughtful, informed and intelligent solutions to everyday struggles and challenges.

In Winfrey, we saw a sensitive and kindhearted humanitarian who used her prominent public position to affect positive change on people's lives and, by extension, the world. That's the great legacy Winfrey leaves behind after 25 years.  Her show will truly be missed.