We all acknowledge that there are very real and tough challenges confronting our country right now. There are no easy answers. There is no silver bullet. But the first step on the path of progress is putting aside the cloak of partisanship to embrace a spirit that places more value on solutions and less value on blame.
Things are getting worse in America because the Republicans and Democrats in Washington lack the will to look beyond the political calculations and keep taking the easy and expedient way out. That has to change. This is a moment for Republicans and Democrats in Washington to turn the page on the mistakes of the past and in one, unified voice actually do the unthinkable and put people before politics. I have always believed that decisions are made by those who show up. For our elected representatives in Washington, they can make the choice to show up every day to do the people’s work or they can keep doing what they have been doing, go home and point blame.
Of course, they are making a pretty big assumption — after all, if they chose to leave Washington right now, is there really any reason to send them back?
Abel Maldonado is running for Congress in the 24th Congressional District of California.
