A Penny For Your Thoughts

Last Tuesday’s election results were just what Democrats had worked hard for – John Kerry carried Northern Virginia! Sadly, he did not do as well in other parts of the state, or the country. High hopes were dashed, but the election proved that America is still deeply divided. President Bush should not take his victory as a mandate. Nearly as many people voted against him (55 million) as voted for him (59 million). Campaigns are exhausting, but they also are fun. The constant motion, the quick sound bite, the off-the-cuff humor, the adoring audience of supporters, even the occasional heckling – energize the candidate for the physical and mental race ahead. The hard part comes after the campaign, when the banners and balloons are put away, the frenetic pace slows, and governance becomes the focus. If President Bush really wants to bring the country together, he needs to stop dividing and demonizing good Americans who have differing opinions. And his followers need to stop doing that too.

Part of what makes America great is that there is room for all sorts of views. What we seem to have lost is respect. Respect for each other’s views, even though they may differ from our own. Respect for the cultures and upbringing that may have resulted in those differing views. Sometimes I think we even lose respect for our own views, parroting whatever seems to be the latest talk-show host rant or pollster’s prediction. Do people really think that the outcome of a Redskins game will predict the winner of a Presidential election?

Back to governance. There are so many issues that need attention. America’s reputation in the world needs repair. We may still be the world’s one superpower, but many view us as a “rogue” nation, and one not to be trusted or respected. The environ-ment got very little attention during either candidate’s campaign. Clean air and water, how to restore the Chesapeake Bay, managing public forest and parklands, and how to provide energy for an ever-growing and demanding population need coherent policies and dedicated federal funding if we are going to leave our children a legacy they can be proud to inherit. Education, housing, health care, Social Security, transportation – the list goes on. These are people issues, not partisan issues. They are challenges that must be addressed and fixed through fiscally responsible policies, not prayers. We need real long-term solutions that address real human problems, not constitutional amendments for social hot button issues. The campaign fun is over, Mr. President. Quit playing politics, and govern.

Supervisor Penny Gross may be emailed at mason@fairfaxcounty.gov