Assumption

When you learn that the person you are talking with is a banker, gay, Muslim, a mechanic, Jewish, Republican, Chinese, Lutheran, into Geo-Caching, a hunter, a teenage mother, etc. ... do you assume that they are thoughtful, nice, honest, interesting, sincere, smart, giving, accommodating, open minded, strong, etc.   If not, how come?

Listen

The problem in politics today is simple ... no one listens.  Democrats believe they are right, and they may be, but they don't do enough listening to the common folks they claim to be fighting for.  Republicans believe they are right, but probably aren't because they don't 'listen' to things like reason, common sense, or compassion.  The bottom line is that we would be a lot better off if folks talked less and listened more.

Of, By, For

Lincoln would most likely be horrified by the state of his political party in 2014.  First of all, they are no longer interested in striving to achieve "Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this earth.  They want to abolish government and are seemingly unaware of the self hatred that involves in a country where government "of" and "by" the people is a long tradition and desire.  Second, they are hardly on the forefront of either racial equality.  Third, Lincoln was hardly a strong proponent of state's rights or the evisceration of the federal government.  Fourth, Lincoln aimed at solving problems even if that meany joining with Democrats .. which today's Republicans would be highly unlikely to do.  Lincoln also put country before party' which is certainly not the motto of Republicans in 2014.  Abraham Lincoln was a great President who worked hard to solve problems.   That just does not sound like todays's Republicans!