Isn't It Time?

By Nancy Greggs

To our fellow Americans across the aisle:

Isn’t it time we stopped thinking as Democrats and Republicans, and started thinking as citizens?

Isn’t it time we stopped being Red States and Blue States, and went back to being the United States?

Isn’t it time we stopped screaming at each other about who to vote for, and started demanding a voting process that ensures whoever gets the most votes actually wins?

Isn’t it time we stopped looking at the administration’s defiance of the law in terms of scoring points against the other party, and started seeing it as a crime against the nation?

Isn’t it time the phrase Support the Troops stopped being a convenient in-the-abstract soundbyte, and started being a reality for each individual serving their country?

Isn’t it time we stopped accepting our elected representatives’ penchant for voting in accordance with their party’s interests, and started insisting they vote according to the best interests of their country?

Isn’t it time we stopped tuning-in to the TV network that gives us the news we want to hear, instead of demanding that all media outlets give us the real news, whether it is to our liking or not?

Isn’t it time we stopped talking about right-wing and left-wing, and started talking about right and wrong?

Isn’t it time we stopped assessing what is happening in Iraq in terms of what could-have-been and what should-have-been, and started evaluating this mission in terms of what it has actually turned out to be?

Isn’t it time we stopped pretending that photo-ops are a substitute for actual leadership, and started electing leaders who do rather than appear to be doing.

Isn’t it time we stopped admiring political spin as an art form, and started recognizing it for what it is – an obfuscation of the facts.

Isn’t it time we stopped treating political corruption as a game based on how many (R)s versus how many (D)s get caught, and started putting criminals in prison regardless of party affiliation?

Isn’t it time we stopped judging our politicians on the basis of their rhetoric, and started scrutinizing their actions?

Isn’t it time we stopped blindly accepting the talk, and started focusing on the walk?

Isn’t it time we stopped permitting our nation to be governed on the basis of politically expedient nonsense, and started insisting that it be governed on the basis of common sense?

Isn’t it time we stopped accounting to the government for our thoughts, our ideas, and our actions, and start demanding that the government be accountable to us?

Isn’t it time we stopped accepting the president’s word for it when he says he has nothing to hide, and start demanding he show us exactly what it is he’s allegedly not hiding.

Isn’t it time we stopped allowing ourselves to be pitted one against the other along party lines, and started standing together on the many issues we actually agree on?

Isn’t it time we stopped focusing on what separates us as political party members, and started focusing on what unites us as fellow Americans?

Isn’t it time we stopped humbly requesting those in power to do right by ourselves and our country, and started demanding they do so, or be removed from office?

There’s plenty of time to debate the things we disagree on: immigration reform, prayer in school, reproductive rights, gun control, the death penalty.

But shouldn’t all Americans be on the same side when it comes to holding certain truths to be self-evident, upholding the Constitution, adhering to the law and having regard to its provisions, meeting the highest standards of justice and equality?

Isn’t it time?

If the time isn’t now, when will the time be?

And if the time is later, will it be too late?

:thumbsup:

And welcome to the DU Family!!!

I'm humbled in your presence.

If, as the TV pseudo-pundits claim, the political atmosphere in DC and across America is poisonous, polarized, gridlocked, etc., I blame the GOP. They wanted it this way, they've worked hard and invested tons of money to make it this way, all so they could turn around and squawk about how things have become. I could find common ground with a Republican, if they disinter Eisenhower from his grave. Aprés Ike, le deluge de bullshit.

brings tears to my eyes. You just put it all out there so well that by the time I get to the end I realize how much I long for my country to be saved. I thank you and I thank God for your gift of beautiful writing.

and isn't it time that we stopped letting corporations write the laws, as happened in the bankruptcy and the Medicaid bills?

and isn't it time that we stopped these politicians from collecting their million dollar war chests, as it should not be the one who has the most money- just the one with the best character and plans for our great country who gets elected.

Totally awesome. You're back in your element. I am so glad that you're feeling better.

Bush or Cheney answering your questions? Or Tony Snow? Yikes. You do know how the get the ball rolling, we can't help but think because of your words. You give us much encouragement, especially in these weird times when non-Bushlievers are viewed, by the head of state, as enemies of the state. So, the question yours provoked is this: Isn't it time we came to the full realization that "divide and conquer" is the only strategy understood by the Bush administration, and they have chosen to apply it to American citizens instead of Al Qaeda?

My own imaginings take us to a courtroom, with all the Bush team as defendants. The trial is over, the verdict rendered. In that moment, with no further purpose for lies and equivocation, the overarching question could be asked with reasonable hope of, at long last, an honest answer: Why?

I am honestly in awe of you...

How do you do this, day after day?

So damn much creativity!

I am here to say that you may never die, do you hear me?

We need you far too much.....

K&R, of course...

:hug:

Ms . Greggs, I'm relatively new to posting here, but not to reading and learning from DU... Been recommending you to my friends for a while now. Much like listening to my musical hero ( called myself an E Streeter for a reason) , I love your ability to so eloquently express what I'm thinking .

And welcome to the DU Family.

that is the same thing that attracted me to DU at first. I lurked for a couple of years and then jumped in with both feet.

I can honestly say that I am addicted to DU and Nance rants. I have learned so much from this place.

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

Another great column.

As always, K&R

Isn't it time we had a president who ran on that platform?

:applause:

... you came aboard, matey?

Welcome to the Good Ship DU!

:hi:

We keep voting in polyticians, instead of real problem solvers. We can shake our heads in disgust, but we keep voting for the one who is "close enough". When a real candidate comes along, they aren't given the time of day, so we vote for the front runner, as not to split out vote. In other words, we're playing politics with out polyticians. One day we'll all actually get sick enough of all the bullshit, and vote for someone who will do what's right. THEN, this left/right crap will fade away.

*Ex-Republican (very easy to be that, these days)

:hi:

Thanks...I hope no one holds my former party affiliation against me...but enough is enough. Not to hijack the thread...but I was literally getting sick to my stomach watching the Republicans refuse to do what's right. All I want is someone who will do what's right, because it's the right thing to do.

*Sorry...veering off topic...

as always, Nance :)

I know if I open one of your threads, I'm going to recommend it.

I fear we are crossing into the "too late" zone.

See you at the barricades.

thanks :patriot:

K&R

Well said! Thank you, I'm passing this on to all I know!

:hi:

Isn't it time for Impeachment?

:shrug:

"Isn’t it time we stopped focusing on what separates us as political party members, and started focusing on what unites us as fellow Americans?"

I'm trying my best, but both sides accuse me of being stupid, evil, and conspiratorial. It seems today no one can have an honest difference of opinion, you either have a hidden motive, or you're an idiot. Just human nature I guess.