Keeping the ride smooth

Keeping the ride smooth

The arrival of a new president often inspires the same feelings drivers get when they hand the keys of their beat-up used car to the dealer in exchange for the latest model. The dented wreck is towed away, the new auto gleams, and the driver has a sense of starting over.

President George W. Bush has begun his Administration with a purring engine, his easy charm endearing him to many in Washington, his early pro-life action earning praise from Catholics and others committed to protecting human life, and his proposal on faith-based organizations stirring hope in the religious community.

There is, right now, an opening for comity to return to political life, but only if both sides are willing to seize it. The close election provided the opportunity for compromise on common issues, such as education and taxes. Voters are watching closely for signs of progress, although they fear the continuation of the policy of mutually assured destruction between Democrats and Republicans.

It would be wise for the President and Congress to use this time of renewal to take positive steps, for the political parties to use it to lay out legitimate differences instead of corpses, and for voters to use it to let public officials at all levels know that trade-ins are always possible if they don't perform as expected.

(02-08-01) [[In-content Ad]]