To the editor:
A house divided cannot stand. These words spoken well over 2,000 years ago are relevant to the United States today. Over several hundred years our ability to compromise has helped make us a very successful nation. We are now beset by many problems and threats to our nation but are failing to compromise. Our two parties have taken extreme positions both right and left and will not budge. Ideology and the adherence to party line rather than concern for the country have led to stalemate. The silent majority recognizes this but has not taken action.
Regardless who wins the election - Romney or Obama - the country will lose because the super-majority in the Senate will block legislation. Democrats or Republicans can play the same party line game the Republicans have played in Congress over the past two years. The shame is so many great ideas can be found in the platforms of both candidates along with the ideas of Republican challengers in the primaries. Compromise, a blending of ideas, and a rejection of extreme positions could bring about a social and economic boom for the country.
It is time to put aside the rhetoric, spin, and scapegoating and move forward.
Ronald Sprecher
Lewistown
