I’m back. Finally finished my taxes. Whew! So now I can focus on the good stuff which is getting this country back on track. Believe it or not, today, the good stuff comes from CSPAN. The messenger is Senator Marco Rubio.

This video shows the path to repairing our current dilemma – gridlock. There is no way to fix problems if our only option is to force our way on to others. Right now, in America, the political system is set up for just that, forced compliance with whoever has the reins at the moment. It’s not fair for Democrats or Republicans to cram their agenda through the legislature, the courts or the executive branch. Most people, when their party is out of office, hate this very phenomenon.

It is also part of what led us to the results of the last vote in November. Too avoid the gridlock of a Republican congress and a Democratic President, the country (of course, for more reasons that just this) got the Outsider. This gridlock occurs because the parties are in a not-what-you-want mode. Not anything. Ever.

Americans are hoping to be done with gridlock but are also keenly aware the Outsider may have been a huge mistake as we watch the destruction of all that has been created over the last two and a half centuries.  Nervous people are very aware our country may be in danger of decline or dissolution causing sleepless nights and major distractions (electronics mostly) during daylight hours. We need the answer of how to get out of the gridlock and it has nothing to do with singular control in politics and everything to do with people.

Someone is going to have to change the gridlock. Will it be Rubio? McCain? Graham? These are the only Republicans so far to show any signs of willingness to talk across the aisle or even criticize their own party. In today’s world, it will have to be a Republican because they are in charge and will need to set the new world in motion. It doesn’t seem we have any such brave souls yet, but I have faith in you to communicate what you want to your representatives. Only power hungry, corporate owned, we-don’t-care-about-you politicians, will be against this idea in the long run, if we are clear it’s what we want. Say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. It’s true most politicians fit the above description, so we need to look to fresh faces and give them new marching orders.

Along with the protests, marches and phone calls, send this most important message:   Figure out how to work with the other side.

There is only one way out. We have to talk to each other. We have to re-enter some uncomfortable words back into our vocabulary. Words like listening, compromise and negotiation. We need to explore new ideas, stop worrying about which political party gets credit and who is against who.

Take the Department of Education for example. There have been times when teachers complained the Feds had too much control of their classrooms. Cleaning out this department may go a long way to improving how school districts have control to handle their specific problems. On the other hand, if you are just dismantling and destroying, we have a major problem with the basic tenets of the American system. There must be discussion, exchange of ideas and the creation of a plan that brings in all sides.

What is the answer here? Conversation. Open, honest, all ideas on the table, discussion. Public debate on the pros and cons. Watching politicians work together. I know, you think I’ve had something really good for lunch, but this is the only direction that makes sense. The focus must change from my way to our way.

Want to have a functioning healthcare plan for Americans? Here’s the three step process:

1. Get an idea, a plan and a draft together of needed changes and potential solutions
2. Tell other pertinent people about your draft
3. Discuss the differences between your draft and the other drafts to create a plan that uses the best parts of everyone’s draft.

Then we give it a try, see what works and what doesn’t, then get together again to improve the plan. Easy Peasy. But only if we demand this of ourselves and our congresspeople. We must vote in people who will do this. It doesn’t really matter if they are Democratic or Republican ideas because ultimately they are just plans to solve American problems.

Start a conversation with your friends about how to ultimately change the political climate in this country, by being willing to listen, learn and work together. Look for “others” that are open to conversation. And share this video with everyone. Ask your friends – how can we make this happen?

Compromise is only a problem if your team has to WIN at all costs.  But then we all lose. Think about it.