Easy To Be Cynical

Somehow political pundits have gotten the idea that cynicism is the proper approach when covering any attempt by either party to reach across the aisle. It is easy to be cynical in more than one way. Mostly it is easy because it doesn't require any thorough understanding of what would make this offer unique. It doesn't require any investigation into what would be the ramifications if the offer were treated seriously. A detached cynicism passes for intelligent, and allows the observer to state "See, I told you so," no matter which way the issue falls, or fails; in the same way that John Kerry places himself firmly astride both sides of an issue.

We need to cast the cynicism aside, and drop the comfortable belief that one side or the other has all the correct answers, even that the "conservative" approach is always going to be appropriate, or the "liberal" view should always predominate. This would never be tolerated from a coach in a professional sport. There are times to air out a long pass; and there are times when more caution is warrented.

Let us start looking more to the heart of the matter; and the parties be damned.