New Bipartisan Website
By Alan Stewart Carl | Related entries in General Politics, IndependentsThere’s a new website for those who are looking for something outside the usual partisanship. It’s called Bipartisan Bridge and is striving to be a meeting place/advocacy group for those who what politicians to work towards solutions and stop the endless bickering. Here’s how site founder Brad Kane describes the effort:
The Bipartisan Bridge was created to provoke thoughts, inspire ideas, constructively contribute to the national discourse, and provide a meeting place for all who are dedicated to elevating bipartisanship, non-partisanship, and post-partisanship over the fractiousness of partisanship. As partisanship takes an ever-increasing toll on our governmental institutions, a redirection toward mutually-beneficial collaboration is necessary to stem the tide, before the situation declines beyond repair. While there certainly is a role for partisanship on election day and the month or two leading up to it, it must be contained, so as not to impair our government’s ability to function effectively. The competition of elections must be separated from the collaboration of governing.
I’m always in favor of cooperation over rancor – although vigorous, constructive debate and not blind compromise is, I think, the real goal. To that end, Bipartisan Bridge has posted 50 Bipartisan Policy Ideas which readers can read and presumably discuss on the site’s blog or perhaps on some upcoming community page. Beginning with concrete ideas rather than a general “stop the yelling!†message is a good sign for this new site – after all, being bipartisan and heard is not an easy mission.
Such bipartisan efforts have existed before, from the well-funded but ill-fated Unity08 to the long-running but usually dormant Centrist Coalition (which seems to be pretty much just the Centerfield blog now). Politics is about power and removing yourself from partisanship tends to remove you from power. It’s a bit of a Catch 22 for us independent types.
Nevertheless, I think a lot of people would agree with the Bipartisan Bridge’s message and I hope the site succeeds in bringing some attention to the idea that not every issue has to be a left vs. right power struggle. There are alternative ideas and alternative ways in which to discuss important matters. Check out the site and see what you think.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 and is filed under General Politics, Independents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
[...] is actually on to something intriguing and reasonable. It’s like the motto of one bipartisan blog I found says : Big teeth, huge ass , Surprisingly reasonable. I like to hold onto the juvenile [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I hope this succeeds, through discussion we evolve.
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I have been reading the Bipartisan Bridge recently. I have been encouraged by it’s common sense approach to politics. My company promotes bipartisanship through humourous, lighthearted designs. Based on the feedback from our customers, our country is ready for Washington to WORK TOGETHER! We are always happy to stumble upon others working toward the same goal! Hopefully the “bipartisan movement” continues to gain momentum.
http://www.getbettertogether.net
February 26th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
My real concern is with individuals using labels and instead of positions on policy. I watched a movie yesterday called Invictus, with Morgan Freeman. There were many that called him a failure on day one, some who held on to their fears and never gave way to the possibility that we could work together to make this nation better. Ironically, there is a stark similarity to the Obama Presidency. The only winners in the ideological battles and scare tactics are the interests of the wealthy well connected who can afford (lobbyists) who now own not only the majority of our media outlets, but also our government as well. They do not care about a democrat or republican, liberal or conservative, they only care about their agenda.
look also for this article and read other’s comments
http://scragged.com/articles/the-welcome-death-of-bipartisanship.aspx?cc=1#cc
August 21st, 2011 at 2:44 pm
I have a video on Youtube I think you will really like. It is listed under Anne Trenning “The Welcome Song.” Feel free to share on your site, possibly as a “9/11 Anniversary remembrance.” Thanks for your consideration. Your concept is great! Best, Anne Trenning