Conflict resolution

The history of the world is rife with stories of struggle and conflict. I guess that’s to be expected thanks to Adam and Eve’s little episode in the Garden of Eden. That’s where it all went downhill. Don’t worry, I’m the last one to sermonize, but conflict, in all its various forms, is one of the many regrettable results of that incident we have had to live with ever since. Talking to snakes is never a good idea. Whether it’s in the human heart or in the corporate boardrooms or in the offices and palaces of all the kings and presidents and prime ministers all around the world, conflict is usually a good spot for bad trouble to start. Down through the years, the Romans never could see eye to eye with the Carthaginians, Napoleon wanted to whip everybody in Europe, the Montagues didn’t want the Capulets for in-laws, Vito Corleone hated Barzini, and the mighty Bulldawgs and the reptiles from the swamps of Gainesville have lost very little love between them since the start of time. Now, you might think that’s a pretty serious history of conflict but hold on a minute. According to the major media outlets, (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and MSNBC) who descended directly from that afore-mentioned snake, those historical conflicts are kindergarten stuff compared to what we will soon see. We are now told that it’s not the Russians, or the North Koreans or the people in Greenland we need to worry about. The most terrifying, world-shaking, Armageddon “end-of-days” cage match conflict of all time is right here at home. Yes folks, the Democrat party has now decided to take off the gloves and “play tough”! It is now reported by somewhat questionable sources that Dems, have recently unveiled their new campaign strategy for the 2026 mid-term elections which is to “act mean, be tough”, use more “cuss words” and in general to “just behave more like Republicans”, quote, unquote. That plan incidentally came out of the “fairer sex” side of the party. The Dem men apparently have been a little slower to adopt the “act mean” policy and instead have graciously decided to allow the ladies to go first. However, the latest “big idea and secret weapon” employed by the Democrats is the crowning of a new star. Zohran Mamdani is an avowed Socialist and dual citizen of Uganda and the United States. Mr. Mamdani won a primary election last week to be the Democrat candidate who will run for the job of Mayor of New York City. He has been a member of the New York State Assembly since 2021. Other than that, he tried being a rapper for a little while. That’s about the extent of his professional pursuits. His extreme far left political views make Karl Marx, Joseph Stalin and Bernie Sanders look like amateurs. The result of his coronation as the new star of the Democrats has been a stampede of congressional members of the Democrat party falling all over themselves to either get close to Mamdani or get as far as away as they can from Zohran in sheer panic. The bottom line is that the Democrat party is now willing to try anything and everything to revive the party’s dismal approval ratings which are down to an all-time low of 19% according to a Quinnipiac poll conducted last week. This venerable old political party that has helped guide this country for years and years is now rudderless and drifting.

The two-party system of government in this country is in trouble, and that means this country is in trouble. Our best government exists when true representation exists. When the system doesn’t offer real choice and effective options, the system isn’t healthy. Despite its current state as reflected by recent surveys, the Democrat party seems unable or unwilling to produce a core leadership element and a policy identity that is honest and robust. If we don’t have that balance, then we don’t have the position from which to strike moderation and compromise. Conflict results, and conflict rarely produces progress. The political character and the leadership of both the Republican and Democrat party must radically change in a way that respects and protects their mutual health and well-being and most importantly the good of this nation. Without that, we will continue to stand motionless at the impasse, and witness the irreversible deterioration of a democracy.