The title above is a lyric from the Beatles hit song Come Together, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and released in 1969. It was originally to be used as a campaign song backing Timothy Leary who was running for Governor of California at that time. It is ironic that this song has a political connection, as the song sings of coming together, something the state of our country’s political system desperately needs to do.

At the last State of the Union Address, in March, I watched as two political parties made up of grown men and women, acted like little children as if they were mad at each other after arguing whether a particular player in the kickball game was safe or out. It was almost exclusive that when the President said something the Blue Party liked, those “in blue” cheered, often standing while doing it, while the red party, sat on their hands, looking away from the podium, some even disrespecting the Office of the President by including a politically messaged baseball-type hat to his/her wardrobe while sitting in our nation’s hall of government, and yelling out in an attention starved way acting much like a seventh grader being upset with his/her parents for not being able to hang with her/his friends on a Friday night.

This was just one of many incidents like this one that have occurred way too many times in past presidential campaigns, and administrations, and they have sadly, and unfortunately, happened by both parties, both ways.

We’re talking about adults here, or supposed adults, who’ve run for the offices they hold, and won elections (based on convincing voters that they would do their very best) to speak and act for, not only those who voted for her/him, but for all who are equal citizens like them, no matter the color shirt, sweater, or tie, they wear. We’re talking about adults, not children (though it’s hard to tell the difference sometimes), who’ve been entrusted with making decisions for everyone who lives under the constitution, and flag, of this country, though most debates, lawmaking sessions, and/or campaigns in our political system sound more like schoolyard spats happening between two groups of eight-year-olds.

It’s obvious both sides, both colors, both animals, don’t agree, and so have devised strategies, plans, platforms, campaigns, many of them slinging mud, that are seemingly designed with tunnel vision, and not made with the interests of the entire populus of this country. They are instead seemingly being made in the interests of the personal egos of many of those sitting in the major offices and ivory towers of this country. It was the majority of people who elected them, and entrusted them, and had confidence in them to do what is best to represent all the people who voted, either for or against them, not just ones wearing their favorite color sweater.

It is the opinion of the Voice from the Bullpen, that if you took a poll right now, a large contingent (myself included), maybe even a majority of people in this country, is not, and will not be, in favor of either candidate whose names will be on the ballot come November ’24. That’s a very sad commentary, to say the least.

It seems like, a large part of the political system of this country is comparable to a game we played as kids, pitting those with the green army toy soldiers fighting against those with the brown army toy soldiers. Another irony within this comparison is that as we played those games in the backyard, it was a kids’ game played by kids. Fast forward to the present comparison to the political system of today where politics is supposed to be an adult responsibility, yet it appears, sadly, that it’s still a game being played by children.

In the first episode of the popular HBO series, The Newsroom (2012-2014), character Will McAvoy, played brilliantly by actor Jaff Daniels, delivered an answer to a question asked by a college student as to what makes America the greatest country in the world. The opening scene of episode 1 of that series included his response to that question, and the VFTB encourages everyone reading this narrative to pause and download the YouTube video that presents this very powerful scene from that series. (Warning: response contains strong language that may be offensive and is not suitable for children.) As powerful as the first part of McAvoy’s remarks is, the last part reminds us of when, and how, America truly was considered the greatest country in the world. It says a lot as to what worked, and could work again, in bringing respect for the USA back, especially within our own country.

Whatever division exists within our political arena in this country is not the fault of just one group. “It takes two to tango.” Both sides have an equal hand in what’s happening, and it will take both sides to heed the words of the Beatles and “Come Together,” to bring us all back to the pride in our Democracy, and not drive us any further toward feelings of Complacency.