Consistent with the President\u2019s annual State of the Union address, the Intramuralist routinely shares our \u201cState of the Government\u201d perspective, in which we have long respectfully shared the conviction that the current US government is too partisan, too influenced by money, too big, too financially imbalanced, and too far removed from the Constitution. We continue to adhere to each of these assertions. We also continue to believe this is fueled and fostered by many in the leadership of both parties and in the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps motivated by what we\u2019re watching frightfully unfold across the Atlantic, let us make a bold, stubborn encouragement: let\u2019s stop. Let\u2019s stop the fighting here on our own, continental shores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I mean not to minimize the very real socio-political differences in this country. There indeed exist significant differences in desired policy and effective approach. There are things we need to prudently discern. There are problems we need to solve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But first, let\u2019s stop the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s say it even bolder; let\u2019s realize what\u2019s most important.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone has their laundry list of what\u2019s important\u2026 platforms they pursue\u2026 issues they pronounce\u2026 creeds and convictions on which they will in no way compromise\u2026 it\u2019s important stuff!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It also actually serves as ammunition \u2014 ammunition that fuels the increased partisan calumny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But notice Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ve not been known for all thinking alike. They\u2019ve not been known for having a government that all agrees with one another. Their leadership is also not known for embracing identical platforms, issues, creeds nor convictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But funny. (Not really). <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t see that unlike thinking now. You can\u2019t see the division, partisanship, nor resulting disparagement\u2026 you don\u2019t hear the intentional misrepresentation of character, vilification, muckraking, nor media manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You see a country that\u2019s at war. You see a country that has now had to realize what\u2019s most important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ukraine\u2019s situation is horrific. Their government unity is beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what about us? <\/em>Will it take war for us to realize that government unity is beautiful? \u2026 Will it take war to rattle us enough so that we stop assuming the people who disagree with our platforms, issues, creeds and convictions are motivated by malice?\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unity does not mean like thinking, friends. It means we recognize varied, valid perspective exists and we respectfully come together precisely with those varied perspectives in order to find solution. It means we dismiss those specious thoughts of malice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Consistent with such wisdom, as we\u2019ve articulated previously in our annual State of the Government address, let us repeat arguably the most profound question posed in Pres. Obama\u2019s final SOTU:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow can we make our politics reflect what\u2019s best in us, and not what\u2019s worst?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When we vilify, we fuel what\u2019s worst. When we advocate partisanship, we fuel what\u2019s worst. When we misrepresent or muckrake, we fuel what\u2019s worst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So we ask once more; what will it take?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What will it take for us to realize what\u2019s most important, as our Ukrainian brothers and sisters are heartbreakingly having to do now?\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lord, please\u2026 please let it not be war.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Consistent with the President\u2019s annual State of the Union address, the Intramuralist routinely shares our \u201cState of the Government\u201d perspective, in which we have long respectfully shared the conviction that the current US government is too partisan, too influenced by money, too big, too financially imbalanced, and too far removed from the Constitution. We continue … <\/p>\n