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It's been said that an unbendable mind eventually withers and dies. What doesn't flow with the fluid energy of life cannot be sustained. Our minds fall into this category, so taking some time to scrutinize our own beliefs is not a bad idea - to view things from a different perspective - even if it hurts. This is what is absolutely mandatory to break the cycle of grid-lock in Washington.

People on all sides of the political spectrum have difficulty letting go of their personal notions of what is right for this country. They hold on with all their might to ideas which they believe will either save us or condemn us. How do we achieve some common ground where we put our own personal beliefs aside for awhile and contemplate the possibilities that maybe, just maybe, the other side has some valuable insight also?

No one wants to see our country fail (except perhaps Rush Limbaugh when he made it known that he wants Obama to fail). If Obama fails, so does our country. Hard held Christian beliefs require supporters of those beliefs to not scrutinize their beliefs at all, doing so they've been told, will open the gates of hell. It's this type of unbending thinking that doesn't allow for common ground to be reached and will keep Washington grid-locked forever.

Our country has always been (and is becoming more so everyday) a melting pot of the world with every race, creed, religion and philosophy represented in its population. That alone should tell us we need to be welcoming of others' ideas as long as they don't take away freedoms, hurt innocent people, or create a state of fear among the nations inhabitants. Most of us want a nation that demonstrates decency, fairness, tolerance and appreciation for our diversity. It's how polititicans define decency, however, that makes this issue sticky.

Decency to some is demonstrating respect for others, following the Golden Rule and abiding by the laws of the land. Living so that when you leave this planet it's a little better off than when you arrived. To others, decency means believing in God, accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and alienating anyone who doesn't believe the same - regardless of whether or not the former criteria I mentioned for decency has been met.

Grid-lock in Washington will not go away until the majority of politicians agree that theological differences are not acceptable reasons for political battles. Theological beliefs have no place in politics. Those who hold dear their beliefs, whatever they are, but are fair and just minded in dealing with their fellow politicians and constituents, who recognize the value of respect and appreciation for our differences and can take a step back in order to view the picture from a different vantage point, are the ones who will help break the grid- in Washington. Let's hope that time arrives soon.

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