And now for a little perspective

"Behave as if you are veterans, and today's political disputes will recede to their proper size."  This clincher, from this article by eminently sober political analyst David Broder, puts some of the debates this week into perspective.  Veterans know the cost of war.  Veterans know there are real enemies in the world, and that Americans are relatively decent by comparison to the bad guys out there.  I'm hoping more veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan emerge as leaders in our political process.  Right now, it appears that the process has gone haywire -- people of character and decency are fleeing the system, and the political pollsters and hacks have the upper hand.  I do see some potential for the President to work with a Republican Congress, but after a bruising fight for control of both houses, there will be some wounds that need triage.  I know I have been pretty liberal about my viewpoints in this election, but I hope my gentle reader(s) will forgive a little partisanship and understand that I do want the best for the country, not just blind obedience to the President or knee-jerk reactions to outlandish claims from the other side.  My personal politics are pretty liberal, and I am trying to understand the other side.  I hope the other side can be reasonable, too, and begin to put this election behind us and begin to plan for a government that works.