We all come from different political perspectives, but what unites us is the unwavering belief that first and foremost, we are Americans, and we live in the best country in the world.
At least that used to be the case. Recent events of political violence have challenged that belief and further eroded our philosophies of finding common ground and coming together during times of crisis. The only way to stop this erosion is to remember what unites us, while seeking common ground, without vilifying the other side.
That is exactly what we strive to do every day, even though we have incredibly diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas on how to move our country forward. One of us is a Republican and the other is a Democrat. Our differences run deeper. One served as a U.S. Air Force JAG in Iraq working in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the other has traveled the world equipping hospitals in low-income countries with medical supplies and teaching farmers modern agriculture practices.
While those experiences and associated goals seem worlds apart, they do stem from a common interest – wanting to make people’s lives better. Both of us served in the Colorado State House of Representatives. That’s where our friendship started. It’s also where we learned life-long lessons about compromise, patience, and actively listening to the concerns and ideas coming from the other side.
Ultimately, our experiences and understanding of the political environment brought us together with the shared goal of bringing bipartisan focus to the public policy making process in both Denver and Washington D.C. In our four years of working together, we have learned that finding common ground is difficult, messy, and humbling, but attainable when we check our preconceived notions at the door. We have also learned that finding common ground is something to celebrate when it happens. Finally, we have learned it can be devastatingly harmful when we refuse to put our differences aside.
Bipartisan connection is a must, though, if we want to move our nation forward. That connection starts with denouncing all forms of political violence, regardless of the source. Robert Kennedy’s 1968 impromptu speech atop a car rooftop in Cincinnati captures the essence of what it means to acknowledge deep hurt and pain but to refrain from retaliation. Cincinnati remained calm while Detroit and DC burned portions of their cities to the ground after the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Years ago, on a trip to Rwanda there was a discussion with a bishop who had his entire family slaughtered in one of the most horrific acts of genocide in modern history. We still talk about him today. It would have been so easy to retaliate. Instead, he helped form a Truth and Reconciliation commission that focused on accountability, understanding, and forgiveness. Without it, his country would have continued spiraling into a deep pattern of revenge.
Our country is experiencing deep pain and anger from political violence that has targeted governors, speakers of the house, well-known activists, and so many others. We can learn a lot from the bishop in Rwanda by holding those accountable who use hate to perpetuate political violence. We must also be willing to forgive and strive for greater understanding of the issues that divide us. Spiraling into hate only wastes energy, furthers the divide, and produces greater suffering. It never produces a positive result.
We are all accountable to stem the tide of political violence and extremism our nation is experiencing today. It is incumbent upon each of us to individually reach out to others with different political ideas and simply listen to their point of view. Disagreement is ok, if it doesn’t lead to hate. And who knows, there might also be some common ground to discover.
We will always have political differences and that’s a healthy dynamic element necessary to move our relationships and democracy forward. Just look at the unlikely friendship involving two deceased U.S. Senators – Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah and Democratic Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Senator Hatch once remarked that he ran for the United States Senate in the 1970’s to stop Senator Kennedy’s liberal agenda, but during the next 40 years, both Senators forged a bond of friendship and professionalism that enabled them to enact landmark legislation in childcare, nanotechnology, and multiple other achievements.
Anything is possible, but we need to have trust in those who see the world differently. Different perspectives have the power to fuel critical thinking which leads to better solutions for our nation. That’s the way the founding fathers intended it. Reach out to someone and share this perspective.
Mark Waller and Joe Miklosi both served in the Colorado State House of Representatives. They own a government relations firm that focuses on bipartisan solutions.
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