"A house divided against itself cannot stand."
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
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The Bipartisan Bridge was created to provoke thoughts, inspire ideas, constructively contribute to the national discourse, and provide a meeting place for all who are dedicated to elevating bipartisanship, post--partisanship, and non-partisanship over the fractiousness of partisanship. As partisanship takes an ever-increasing toll on our governmental institutions, a redirection toward mutually-beneficial collaboration is necessary to stem the tide, before the situation declines beyond repair. While there certainly is a role for partisanship on election day and the month or two leading up to it, it must be contained, so as not to impair our government's ability to function effectively. The competition of elections must be separated from the collaboration of governing. As a practical matter, bipartisan / post-partisan support for policies and legislation enfranchises "buy in" from interest groups, mutes criticism from constituencies, and ultimately innoculates issues advanced on this basis from becoming campaign issues. Thus, government becomes more effective and lawmakers are rewarded for collaborating across the aisle.
The Bipartisan Bridge was born from our nation's collective feelings of frustration, concern, and hope, which lead to this call to action:
- Frustration over the climate of needless, degenerative partisanship and distrust which has prevented our cherished governmental institutions from creating needed initiatives and solutions that are balanced for the benefit of all Americans;
- Concern that the state of partisan warfare will intensify and become intractable unless strong forces intervene to reverse the trend;
- Hope that common ground can be identified, beginning with a focus on issues where agreement is achievable, generating a renewed willingness to collaborate on balanced, bipartisan public policy initiatives within a framework of partnership for progress; and
- A call for action for public officials and private citizens to generate ideas that reflect shared objectives, solve problems in ways that enhance the quality of life of all Americans, and commit to a willing partnership that collaboratively addresses exigent priorities.
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The introduction to this website continues with (1) an overview of the problems posed by partisanship, (2) the basis for evolution beyond partisanship, (3) the rationale for advancing bipartisanship / non-partisanship / post-partisanship, (4) an introduction to ideas and solutions that could usher in a spirit of bipartisanship / non-partisanship / post-partisanship, and (5) the underlying purposes of this communal effort. |
