The C-Party Solution
by Glenn S. Davis

Who isn't tired of the infighting among opposing parties and houses of Congress? The current budget impasse is just a stepping stone to the next battle over the debt ceiling and other looming decisions to be made. Or not made.

There's a solution I'd like to call the C-Party. "C" for Compromise; because the only way our government can function is to get past the divisiveness which prevents any beneficial bill from being passed, often from even being discussed. "C" for Cooperation. In the immortal words of Rodney King, "Why can't we all just get along?" Perhaps these words were not originally intended for our elected lawmakers, but what would be so bad about them working together for the common good? The American people would embrace such a position taken from their representatives. "C" for Compassion, for Civility, for Common Ground. We may not all agree on every issue; that's not the American way. I hesitate to even mention Obamacare. Can we instead encourage our leaders to show some respect for the opposing views of others? The mean-spirited accusations and utter disregard for alternative viewpoints serve no redeemable purpose in running our country or facing the critical issues which lie ahead. We need our elected repre sentatives to listen for elements of an opposing argument that they find they may actually agree with. Don't discount everything heard just because of who is saying it. This is not a new idea, just a good one.

"C" for Country. We are one America, not polar extremes the likes of Congress. Gather people from opposing sides of an issue, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, and people talk, share ideas, debate and yet seek common ground. In everyday life; there is no aisle which divides us never to be crossed. Why can't Congress solve the problems we face without the inevitable politics interfering with progress and of getting anything accomplished for the good of the country. The C-Party offers a solution.

Where in the constitution (another "C"?) does it say that our representatives must be true first to their party, and albeit a distant second, to what's truly best for the American people? I believe it says just the opposite. The idea of the C-Party is not aimed exclusively at Republicans or Democrats. Let's begin by supporting and electing C-Party candidates from either party. It should be an easy transition for the moderates of both sides. But why stop there; gaining a few converts among the wings shouldn't be so far-fetched. "C" for Consensus. No one wins when the government shuts down, when the debt ceiling isn't resolved. But we can work together to prevent these and other undesirable effects of inaction.

"C" for Courage. There is far too much pressure on our lawmakers to toe the party line. Do any individual members of either party have the backbone to declare themselves to be the first C-Partyers? But no, not one, we must begin with two lawmakers; one Republican, one Democrat, who can join hands across the aisle and begin this movement. "C" for Chutzpa; a chance to declare a bold new approach in our two-party system which is in dire need of refinement. Unlike the Tea-Party, which almost by definition must begin and end at the fringe, the C-Party movement will start from the middle, and spread to the wings. It's not a revolution, just a simple shift in direction which can only result in positive change. Our form of government needs to return to the days when it was seen as a beacon to the world, not the ineffectual and seemingly paralyzed entity into which it has transmuted. The C-Party movement can help restore our nation to a democracy in its truest meaning and initial intent. I'll be the first to vot e for the C-Party: candidates who I choose to support not because of my agreement with them on the numerous issues we face, but due to their pledge and corresponding action, not just lip-service, to overcome the partisan division in Congress. "C" for commitment; join me.

The C-Party Solution was written by Glenn S. Davis and published as an op-ed column on October 14, 2013 in The MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, MA). Copyright © 2006-2013 GateHouse Media, Inc. Some Rights Reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.