Our leaders should heed George Washington’s farewell address

I implore you to read this passage: “The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

Sadly, I cannot take credit for these words or the passage referenced above written by President Washington and printed in the Philadelphia’s American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796. These words were so important to President Washington as the first planned transfer of power was due to take place in 1797 when John Adams would assume the presidency. However, these words prove so powerful and relevant to the current status of our country and how it is governed. The leaders of our country, from all parties, should review and reflect and heed the warning Washington’s farewell address puts forth.

Washington’s farewell address, aside from warning the people of the United States from getting involved in foreign policy entanglements, Washington specifically warns his fellow members of the government from wasting their own valuable time in getting involved in scurrilous and petty arguments which would or could take place between various political factions. The time, he believed would be better spent addressing the problems that would face the new fledgling country as well as the American people. Fast forward to today, and we can observe and learn through the various political grand standings and Machiavellian practices that both parties exhibit that the notion of “WE” is quickly being taken over by the notion of “US “and “THEM”. This is not what America should be about. It’s about working together, agreeing to disagree and move forward together to assess, analyze and solve our nation’s problems. I hope the leaders of our country, from both parties can accomplish this goal and stop acting like the little child who when he or she does not get what they want at the beach they storm off home with their pail and shovel!

John Joseph Albinger West Haven