A wider view is clearly always better. Maybe we should consider “country before party” sort of metaphorical for exercising our ability to keep a wide view when seeking solutions - whether the wider view is going from party to country or country to world.

At this crossroads in America’s unique history, we’ve got to re-learn the concept that in narrowing who you talk to, who you listen to, who you think is “good” or “bad”, you are actually losing the fundamental grist of good solutions and good governance. America will be doing our part in the world community when we get back there, the first step being “physician heal thyself” across the U.S. political aisle. By reading “The Square” link on our website you can tell that my personal opinion is that we’re just temporarily off that stride, partly because of 9/11. We’ve got to get our own house in order. “The Square” is - in my opinion - a big idea far beyond the borders of the U.S. I think it’s a fundamental concept in all the world, perhaps the fundamental conversation of humanity. Pulling it off takes walking a fine line, one that America has walked through our history. For a really good conceptual basis for that fine line, I highly recommend this post on our blog and the essay hyperlinked there: http://tothevillagesquare.org/blog/2008/05/28/declaration-on-civility-and-inclusive-leadership/,