Room for hope in presidential politics

"There remain these three, faith, hope and love." The least of these is hope, but hope is the bridge of light between the dark shores of faith and love.

The hope in the presidential race is that there will be a vow to cross the divide and cooperate or at least compromise for the greater and greatest good. Adversarial argument should aim for the emerging synthesis of a more perfect outcome for a more perfect union.

For example, since we are almost $20 trillion in debt, growing the economy for everyone should also achieve a graduated targeted growth in tax revenue, slow and reverse the deficit, balance the budget as soon as possible and provide a surplus, once again, to begin paying down the debt.

We should consider establishing a United States Peace Academy, funded solely by tax-deductible donations, to teach the skills of nonviolent conflict resolution.

A creative bipartisan response passing reasonable laws to control excessive greed will alleviate poverty. The advice, example and title of Pope Francis, the Pontifex Maximus, is to build bridges and befriend the poor and suffering with compassion and generous mercy.

We need to find a place where faith can turn to love. It may be anywhere, in a hospital room, a nursing home, your own beautiful backyard garden or on a moonlit beach of a panoramic seashore that embraces the sea of hope beneath the starlit sky and inspires our hearts to reach out and hold the hand of God.

George E. Bedingfield

Arlington Heights