IN A COUNTRY OF RIGHT AND LEFT, I'M MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE

I've tried to sit on the sidelines, thinking like most things, this too, shall pass--the "this" being the ever growing political divide in our great nation. But as I watch nightly depictions of rioting, protests ending in violence, court rulings, and FBI firings, I realized I can't sit back and do nothing. I can't sit back and not SAY anything. I see friendships torn apart. I've even heard of marriages falling apart following this year's presidential election.

But here's the thing, and there's really no way around it. Everyone is wrong. Yes, you read that right. Everyone is wrong.

Full disclosure: I think the press should report the news, not make themselves a part of it by inserting themselves and their opinions into it every single day. I don't like some of the careless and hurtful things candidate Trump said, but I like President Trump's ideas on business and taxes in an effort to jump start the economy. I think building a wall between the US and Mexico would be a historical waste of money and time. I agree that the ACA has helped a great many people, but at the same time, has hurt a great many people. I think it needs to be replaced or at least improved, but I think the current replacement being offered is ten times worse. I think Merrick Garland should have been given a hearing for the Supreme Court, but that the Democrats in Congress that tried to block Neil Gorsuch's nomination, missed a tremendous opportunity to show the country that the country comes first, just like the Republicans did.

I think Paul Ryan is a waste of space, who is out of touch with half the population and lacks the leadership skills needed to run a kickball league much less a Congress. I think Chuck Schumer is a smarmy, hypocrite who seems to have trouble recalling what he said yesterday, much less a few months ago. I think both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have served the country, sometimes well, sometimes not so well, and now they need to ride off into the sunset, never to be heard from publicly again. I think Jim Comey was horrendous at his job, but recognize that factors out of his control probably impacted his ability to DO his job. I think Congress should pass through a rule that requires only 51% of the senate to break up a filibuster in order to pass legislation, regardless of which party is in control. How else can anything be expected to get done? If legislation passes that works, aren't we all better for it? And if it doesn't, vote them out at the next opportunity. Unfortunately, I think many in Congress recognize that the buck stops with the President, and they can get away with doing absolutely NOTHING and keep their jobs, rather than putting themselves out there and risk alienating their voting base. It's the Potomac Two Step, and a pretty good reason for term limits.

But more than anything, I realize that I could be wrong on one or two or even all of the above. They are my "opinions" and this country was founded on the viewpoints of its founding fathers, some of which needed to be amended over the years. So who am I to think that my viewpoints are all correct? Who is anyone for that matter? And that's why everyone is wrong.

They're wrong because too many people are intolerant and insulting to anyone who sees things differently than they do. The thing is, you could take nearly any issue and bring up valid points on opposite sides of the argument. Think the ACA helped millions of people gain insurance that otherwise would never have it? You'd be right. But if you think that the ACA had loopholes in it that raised premiums for people that couldn't afford to have them raised, in turn dragging them into the poverty level, you'd be right on that as well.

Don't want to see the families of illegal immigrants split up? Understandable. But if you're upset because friends can't gain a Green Card or Visa that have tried to do everything the correct way, that's understandable as well.

Think the rich should pay their fair share of taxes? I'd agree with that. But how do you define rich? Is it fair to drag upper middle class into the middle class because you classify them as "rich" in comparison? Doing so might help preserve some excellent entitlement programs, but in the long run, does it demotivate the work force? What's the point of working hard if you aren't going to end up any better off than someone who maybe doesn't work very hard?

Social issues are even more complicated. Personally, I'm in favor of live and let live. People should be free to marry whomever they want or dress however they want. Pro-life? I can see how some people view the moment of conception as a life being created. But I also see the point of those that don't see it that way. And then I wonder if the government should even have any say on those issues at all? We could shrink the government, but then that might mean less help for the less fortunate.

I see people giving speeches that I completely disagree with, but still find it sad when those same people aren't allowed to speak at all. Isn't it a free country? Since when is violent protest the answer to any question or problem?

The bigger question is how do we solve the problems at hand? I'd start with a healthy dose of Aretha Franklin--respect. And follow it up by listening to opposing views rather than trying to shout over them. There are two sides to every argument. How can someone in California, who has never spent a minute living in the Midwest or rust belt, be critical of someone from there that has real issues and real struggles? Likewise, how can someone from a town of 10,000 people, understand the economic and social problems of a city of 10 million? They can't. Unless they listen.

Here's hoping people listen more, and insult less. Here's hoping that Congress and the President will attempt to do the greatest good for the greatest number. Respect--for each other. Sacrifice--to help others. Compassion--for those less fortunate. Understanding--that not everyone comes from the same background as you do.

In a world of left and right, right and wrong, the middle can be a lonely place to live. The good news is that there's plenty of room here and you'll always be welcomed with open arms.