Finding common ground to preserve our democracy

I propose this petition as a call to action, and to those who lead and would lead us politically and in government, and to those who support and participate as members of a democracy and a diverse democratic community. I propose this noting that our doing better in how we work together is crucial to more effectively addressing the issues and challenges that we all collectively face, and particularly as they present themselves as pressing and divisive. I address this to our leaders and to those who as candidates seek positions of leadership. And I address this to those of our community who seek fair and just representation from our leaders.

I petition our political candidates and of all political persuasions and beliefs to remember that you seek office not to represent and lead splinter groups with fixed and even extremist agendas. You seek to represent and to lead everyone. Tone down the personal attacks and set aside the extremist litmus tests as proof of your political purity. They only divide us and harm that which you seek to lead: our communities and our democratic institutions.

I petition those who would vote, and those who would seek voce in the political process to remember that we are all in this together, and that differences in opinion and judgment do not automatically reflect moral or ethical failure on the part of those who would disagree with us. Be partisan and support the causes you believe in, but allow for the fact that others of good judgment and character can disagree and that they are sometimes right too. A best resolution to the issues that challenge us can be a compromise that all sides can support and work towards fulfilling.