From President to President…

January 20, 1993
Dear Bill,
When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that too. I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described. There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I’m not a very good one to give advice; but just don’t let the critics discourage you or push you off course. You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well. Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.
Good luck –
George

So I was bouncing around the web and saw this today and it made me stop for a minute and really think.  This short letter represents how politics should be.  Were George Bush’s and Bill Clinton’s political ideologies the same or even close? No.  But ultimately the success of the country was more important.  I don’t know what the ultimate outcome of the violence in Tuscon will be.  More gun control?  Better political discourse?  More mental health screening?  The end of conservative talk radio?  I’ve heard all of these as potential “solutions” to prevent another incident.

My hope is “we the people” make a change.  We’re looking at Democrats and Republicans like they are sports teams not political parties that represent different ideas for the same country.  We need to realize that once an individual takes office they are “our representative” regardless of whether or not we voted for them or what party they belong to.  They still represent you and should respond to you if you reach out to them.  You may not always agree with them but you should recognize the benefit of the success and ultimately root hard for them.