“We are a nation that has a government–not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Our government has no power except that granted it by the people.”

–President Ronald Reagan, 1981

Well, folks, yesterday was Labor Day. You know what that means. Like it or not, it’s election season. From now until November 8, we’ll be inundated with campaign ads, promises, and bravado from our elected officials and those who are wannabes.

Although no one has asked for my opinion (I know, it’s hard to believe!), I’m going to offer some advice for folks on both sides of the aisle. I wonder if you’re with me on this? I suspect many of you are.

For the Democrats, you’ve got some heavy lifting to do, but this is always true for the party in power. Candidates need to tell us their views on the pertinent national issues, and then stick with them, even after they’re elected. How will you change course and modify the Administration’s policies that have steered America away from the mainstream, and are wholeheartedly endorsed by a president who ran as a moderate and a unifier? Mr. Biden’s coattails will not carry you into office.

For the Republicans, you also have a heavy load. Stop telling us what the other side’s doing wrong. Anyone who cares enough to educate themself knows what’s going on. Tell us what you stand for. If you get majority rule, how will you govern regarding the economy and our domestic and international security interests–the two main issues about which the federal government should concern itself? And, by the way, Hunter Biden’s laptop and Mar-a-Lago are stories, but not the stories. Let ’em go. Please! Mr. Trump will hurt your chances, not help.

For both sides, some advice:

•Remember that polls show most Americans are within ten to fifteen yards of midfield. Extremism is a failed strategy.

•The federal government has grown well beyond what the founders  charged it with in the Constitution. Let’s get back to federalism and states’ rights. The most inflammatory issue in the country remains the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling, returning abortion law to the states. That was a good thing, in my opinion. The feds have no business mucking around with that issue, among many others like education and healthcare. If you don’t like your state’s laws, either move or work to change your state legislators.

• Dial down the rhetoric. The Great Communicator, Ronald Reagan, professed to have no political enemies, only political opponents. Not a bad philosophy to adopt.

• Beware the media. The extremists on both ends of the political spectrum have hijacked their parties’ messaging. We need  more accountable media outlets, but that’s a story for another day.

• Once in office, seek reconciliation and compromise. All members of one party can’t honestly be diametrically opposed to all of the other party. In the New Testament, James advises us, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry…” (James 1:19 NIV). Again, good advice. Work together for America’s good. The most important initial after your names isn’t a “D” or an “R,” it’s an “A.” America.

Finally, we all need to realize that as soon as this election’s over, the 2024 election season begins. Both parties need to hit the recruiting trail and develop a deeper bench. The former president was ousted because of his own egregious rhetoric, and now the current president is speaking in a similar tone. Such language is beneath any U.S. president and should be rejected.

I believe and I’m hopeful we can do much better.