Dis or Dat

You know, was in a discussion with people visiting about what we do, New Orleans, the context and recovery and its challenges. Some of them inevitably have a hard time when we identify shortcomings in their preferred political party and the culpability that party has and some things they could do better.

It is flabbergastingly amazing that people are so preconditioned towards their party and that the Christians (Evangelicals) are completely preconditioned that the GOP is THE RIGHT PARTY, and that there is no shortcoming, no wrong, no problems with how they do anything. I am just amazed at how they cannot accept that the Republican White House actually did some of the politically motivated things it did in the days, weeks and months, and even years after the storm that hurt the people here. They act as if we're lying, go silent, bite their tongue and struggle to disagree as they look at the reality, but just can't own that they are fallible. There is an unspoken accepted precondition that they are God's party...

There is a denial that the GOP could act, well, political, partisan and even mean.

Amazing, it is rife through all parties, all groups within our society. In fact, I'd say that Americans are pre-disposed to a blind spot all together, not just Christians - I guess it amazes me because one would think Christians would be honest brokers for Christ and the Kingdom, not a political party who's aim is power as all parties are so designed. Why do we - Americans - have to be a "this or that" people? Admit it! We naturally are for one, against the other and we villify the other, see no merit or good. We are blind to the one we for, and blind to the merit of the other. Politics is an example, but we do so in everything.

Why can we not be a people who looks for the common ground, the positive, the mutual concerns and values. Why can we not be a people who come of the gate looking for solutions and collaboration instead of argument, winning and beating, in attacking, in villifying. Why can't we not be the 'know it alls'?

While I disagree with several issues with the President Elect, he is proving to simply not play the confrontational politics so common the past twenty years in Washington, but rather one who collaborates, works for common good and collective consensus. His administration choices have repersented all and been exemplary.

There is a key element, intangible in leadership - that "X" factor of example, presence, clear focused vision, unshakable dimeanor and focused on the issues and not him/herself. Could we not recalibrate our posture to be a bit more humble, a bit more teachable, a bit more consensus oriented.