The Plan: Create-ivity first!

Creativity seems to be running rampant these days. With all the gadgets, MFA degrees being handed out (my little brother earns one in May!), and modern art on display, it appears creativity is on the rise. I'm a little disappointed however. Though someone can piece together the image of a human being sliced up into several pieces shrouded in at least thirty different pastels, we are loathe to try anything generally considered creative in American politics. I think we've run into solution provider's block. I say it that way because we, myself included, have plenty to write and have continued to do so. We've continued to think, write about the thinking, and even televise it and cast it on a pod. But don't you wonder about the lexicon of American politics and if it has gone, well, stale?

Let's have a look:

Democrat
Republican
liberal
conservative
tax and spend
fair tax
elastic clause
forefathers
strict Constitutionalism
emancipation
class warfare
culture war
filibuster
bipartisanship
partisanship
rights
lobbyist or lobbying
progressive
regressive
caucus

inalienable

general welfare

common defence

liberty

freedom

I could go on. Someday, I just might. But, I think you get the picture. I'm sure there are some big, fancy words that I've left out. There are some names I could have used, but then I'm trying to cleanse myself of those dirty little words. But, really, don't you think we've just talked, written, and blogged ourselves into a big, empty corner, one which waits for us to seek the fetal position, hoping that somehow or some way our side wins.

I promised you that I would give you a plan of action in my last blog entry. This is that first step. We must be more creative. WE must be more creative and collaborative in seeking the ultimate solution. I listed both bipartisanship and partisanship. I'm not talking about either one here. In seeking bipartisanship, there is always a sense of compromise or quid pro quo. Our eager politicians, our representatives, are ready to trade a steak for a potato or vice versa. That just doesn't seem appropriate or ethical to me. Do what is right for the sake of doing what is right.

I think being more collaboratively creative (if I may use a cornucopia of consonance) will help all of us to define what is right. It may end up that right is a little bit left and left is a little bit right. And hear me out. I'm not speaking of a centrist model, that which merely takes a little bit from each side, smooths out the edges, and throws it up on the table of political alchemy hoping that the elixir works. I'm talking about new thought and a new perspective on governance guided by the proactive document that set all this in motion years ago. Here's a term for you to chew on: collaborative republic. Let's start there (an interesting web page here). More to come.

As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. Here's to hoping I work with you some day soon!