Worth a try: Might we reimagine the way we conduct politics and civic discourse?

Not too long ago we got a letter from a reader.

There was no name on the note, just a reminder.

"Democrats are not bad people," it said.

We already knew that, but it got us thinking.

The reason is because we have heard that same comment before -- from the other side of the partisanship coin.

It usually comes after sharp criticism of one kind or the other -- and it also usually follows some kind of defeat. It is, unfortunately, a side effect of an editorial page. An opinion requires a newspaper to take a side.

But the comment intrigued us, so we decided to give it a little thought.

Why not address it? we decided.

So here it is, a challenge for all of us as we approach the next election season and as we prepare to endure the arguing and soundbiting that will accompany the next two years.

It is important to remember that all Republicans are not bigoted, heartless, money-grubbing, selfish people who care only about bottom lines, and all Democrats are not bureaucratic zombies who think if government doesn't run it, it can't be worth anything or spendthrifts who don't care about deficits or taxes and who view anyone who owns a business as the devil.

Truth is, there are many aspects of governing where Democrats and Republicans are able to find a common ground -- and with good results. And that sort of working together begins when the name-calling stops.

It is easy to say, and not so easy to accomplish.

After all, many of us feel very passionately about the issues that matter to us. We often can't understand how anyone could disagree with the positions we hold -- and that makes it hard to listen.

And there is another influence that factors in as well.

Often, what happens is that we sit back and let other people tell us how we should feel.

We assume that every mudslinging piece of trash we see on television is the truth and we don't think we have the time to find out if there is common ground.

We pass judgment, just like our Bibles and our consciences tell us we shouldn't. We don't get to know anyone from the other side -- why should we?

Truth is, we deal with them already, every day.

There are very few people who are an exact replica of one party's ideals. Most of us are an amalgamate of beliefs, concerns and priorities. We don't vote as a monolith and we do consider other points of view.

So how, you might ask, did Washington become so divided?

Because we let it.

It is time that we all paused and thought more about our shared values and perspectives.

Most of us care about our families and our future. Most of us love our country, although there might be a few things we would change if we were in charge.

Most of us want a government that gets things done.

Some people voted in 2008 with the hope that we might get just that sort of attitude in Washington, a willingness to set aside the vitriol in favor of solution-oriented governing.

No such luck.

But there is still hope. We could model the behavior that we would like to see in Washington. We could start here locally and perhaps at the state level.

We could reject blanket assumptions and angry stereotypes. We could send the message that attack ads don't work and that we are looking for real solutions.

We could see what is beneath the labels and use our similarities to make our communities and states better places to live and work.

It might be uncomfortable at times. We might need to bite our tongues.

But think of what we could accomplish.

No, we don't hate Democrats or Republicans. And we do not think either group is stupid or bad people.

We want to encourage leaders to take off their protective skins and to consider that maybe they do not have all the answers.

We want to foster dialogue, even if you don't agree with our positions.

We want you to care about your community and your state and your nation.

And we want you to get involved.

If it takes a poke every once in a while, so be it. And feel free to poke back.

That is how we will change the world -- one issue and one common ground at a time.

Published in Editorials on December 3, 2014 11:08 AM