It's high time we worked together

In a recent Fencepost, a contributor linked Hitler and Stalin's rise to power with Nancy Pelosi and the lopsided number of Democrats over Republicans in Congress.

Looking past the questionable comparison, there is a reason that there are more Democrats than Republicans in Congress right now. It is the will of the people exercised via their vote.

Without emphasizing today's theme of blame and remorse over the past, we need to recognize that we have been brought to the edge of a cliff in both world opinion and the economy. The contributor, and others who express themselves as he does, should realize that today's voters expect a new spirit of bipartisanship. There may be obstructionists on both sides of the aisle. Ms. Pelosi seems to suffer from the same problem the author does in that they both worry about who controls the power and owns the turf. It was exactly that thinking, over many years of battling parties, that brought us to the edge of this cliff.

In November, the voters expressed a hope that, over the next few years, the rhetoric can calm and America's leaders and citizens can begin to disagree without being disagreeable, to borrow a phrase. With their vote, they expressed a desire that we move past prior disagreements to work for a common purpose. Now we need to constantly remind our leaders and ourselves of this desire.

Change and moderation of thought, will not come naturally or easily, but it must prevail to nurture creativity and growth. It is necessary to bring our government, and our citizens, back to a more civilized, sensible, and peaceable place, were they can work together. No person or party has all the correct answers. Unless we ratchet down the anger and resolve to work with, rather than against, each other there will be no hope for any of us. America, like Rome, will fall and its demise, like Rome's, will come from within.

Gail A. Talbot

Huntley