Some years ago I had a good friend, an attorney, who was active in politics in his community.  We used to have lengthy discussions about politics, both local and national.  I remember his telling me that "politics is the art of the possible."  I have never forgotten that.  The origin of the word takes us back to the polis, the community, and the people.  So politics is how the people do their work, accomplishing what needs to be accomplished.  In our day and time, is that what politics is?  Or has it become something else?

I confess that my preference is for bi-partisan solutions to challenges and problems which confront the community.  I really don't care for partisan politics very much, even though I am a registered voter in one of the major parties.  When either party pushes across their agenda at the expense of the other party, I know that there will be problems.  The loser always has the opportunity to come back, to respond, to obstruct, or to help accomplish the agenda of the party in power.  Too often in the last   twenty or more years, the out of power party has been an obstructionist to the party in power.  The people as a whole get tired of that.  I get tired of that.

The truth is that neither party has a monopoly on truth or on the right answers.  Between the two of them, as they consult with each other and exchange points of view, the best solution usually is hammered out.  I think that is really the way that a great many people in our land who are centrists at heart see politics.  When the two parties get together to craft a bi-partisan solution, then the nation generally does better.  It means that "I don't  have all the answers.  Maybe you have some that I need to hear.  I need to be open to you to hear and evaluate sensibly what you are saying."

Now the Democrats have come back to power in Washington.  I'm not sure how much of a good thing that is, if they are unwilling to listen to the opposition and to seek together the best solutions for our problems.  The same will be true when the Republicans come back to power.  Men and women, please work together and make decisions based on what is best for the country.  Make politics once again the art of the possible.  Not what you can squeeze through or force on the other party, but what is possible and what is best for the most of the people.