As one gets older he begins to look back at his past and see dreams, some of which never quite came to be more than dreams.  I know as I look back on my life I see many mistakes made as well as many accomplishments.  When I ponder the growth of our nation I am aware that not all our glorious nations’ growth has been for the better.  That is a source of distress to me.

          One thing that really worries me is the quality of our government.  No, I am not saying democracy is a bad form of government, although one of our founding fathers did.  The only justification he seemed to have, and I quote, “All the others are so much worse.” 

          Let us look at our nation’s leaders.  If you are a republican and there is a democrat in the White House you seem to look for every fault you can find so you thereby better the Republicans’ chances of winning the next election.  If you are a Democrat it seems to be just the other way around.

          Here is my thought for the day.  This is all wrong.  Our leaders and you and I should want to do what is best to keep the United States of America strong.  That should mean we don’t ask more of the government unless we are willing to give more ourselves but someone must get the point across to our nation’s leaders that this is not a baseball or football game.  One side does not win or lose unless both sides win or lose.  That should mean to them that they are not in Washington to better themselves or their party but to give to themselves and their party and their nation.

          This is the fact for the day.  We as Americans should not ask of the government unless we are willing to give.  Give to others.  Give help to those in need.  Give to our government as much as we can.  I believe we do need to do something about health care, although I am not sure what.  The one thing I know is that we have to stop fighting one another and start working together.  However health care is one of many problems for America.  We cannot tackle any of them if we weaken ourselves by splitting ourselves in two or more warring factions.  This isn’t football.  Mr. Republican you cannot win nor can you Mr. Democrat unless you are willing to stand by the kind of morals that call on you to search your soul for what is right and then try to work with others to fulfill that desire.  Please notice, I said word with and not fight with others.

This challenge is meaningless, though unless you are willing to even go so far as to relinquish your sense of power if it is for the better of the nation.  Keep in mind that whatever power you may have on Earth is useless when your life has come to an end.

Mr. Republican… Mr. Democrat, can you take the challenge?