Are politicians ready to set party aside?

As next deadline looms, Washington has to find solutions

During the State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Trump made a plea for unity.

“Millions of our fellow citizens are watching us now, gathered in this great chamber, hoping that we will govern not as two parties but as one nation. The agenda I will lay out this evening is not a Republican agenda or a Democrat agenda. It is the agenda of the American people,” the president said at the start of the address.

A few moments later, the president noted, “There is a new opportunity in American politics, if only we have the courage to seize it. Victory is not winning for our party. Victory is winning for our country.”

He continued that message of unity through his speech.

“But we must reject the politics of revenge, resistance, and retribution — and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good. Together, we can break decades of political stalemate. We can bridge old divisions, heal old wounds, build new coalitions, forge new solutions, and unlock the extraordinary promise of America’s future. The decision is ours to make.”

Partisan politics has been a burr in the saddle of American government for years. It’s not a new concept with this presidency, but the partisan divide has been very apparent lately.

Is it time for our politicians to set aside party and personal motivators for the good of America? Absolutely.

But can our president, the House and the Senate reach across the aisle to one another, and truly make this happen? One can only hope. Effective government requires working through hard situations toward solutions. It means compromise — a process where everyone gives, even when they don’t want to, in order to find an option that best fits our needs.

It means setting aside personal attacks and petty behavior, avoiding political power plays and government shutdowns, and instead, listening with a mind open to ideas other than one’s own, and forging a path forward that works.

It’s not easy, but governing shouldn’t be easy. These are tough issues on the table, and they call for hard decisions. Our elected officials in Washington have been empowered by the American people to make a difference in our nation — and we’re ready for them to take action.

The president has the ability to build this momentum by setting an example, and reaching across party lines to find successful solutions. With another government deadline looming in the near future, we’ll see sooner than later whether or not our officials are ready to work together.

What did you think of the president’s address Tuesday night? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send in a Letter to the Editor at letters@yumasun.com.

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