In this heated election, during this charged moment in history, now seems the time to take a step back and remember that we are all in this together.  Over the next 8 days and the next four years, it will be important to actively reject the division or arrogance that can alienate and disempower Americans with whom we disagree.

This observation was spurred by two recent events. The first was when Michele Bachmann, a Congresswomen from my home state of Minnesota, announced to the world via Chris Matthews that the media media to actual undertake a public witch hunt looking for congressional representatives who expressed anti-American views: "I wish the American media would take a great look at the views of the people in Congress and find out, are they pro-America or anti-America" 

This offended me for two reasons. First, McCarthyism is a dark stain on American government and the thought of repeating it is both frightening and insulting. Second, her statements call into question the strength and character of a great American institution and the patriotic men and women who serve the American people.  Eroding the confidence in our representative government through fear and accusation should offend all Americans- Democrat, Republican or Independent.

The second was a thought expressed by a thoughtful friend of mine, who happens to be a Republican.  He was reacting to the vocal and confident Obama-mania amongst some of his friend.  The gloating and glee has begun to grow as the election nears, and he wondered if Obama wins, would Obama supporters and the would-be administration itself replicate the same partisan hubris that has been strangling Washington for the past 8+ years. “To the victors belongs the spoils”?

I reacted strongly to both of these stories.I wanted to apologize to the country for the Minnesota Congresswoman, and to my friend for the partisan immaturity of those Obama-supporting friends.

The apology would go something like this: At a time when we face financial uncertainty and economic insecurity, when we have American troops fighting wars in two countries and potential conflict in many more, and when we face a crisis of confidence in both Congress and the Presidency, the last thing we need is division, accusations or gloating.

Now is the time for us to connect as Americans; as Americans who are worried about what’s happening on wall street and main street, even if we have differences about how to fix the problem; as Americans who support our troops and want to bring them home, even if we disagree about when the mission should end;as Americans who take pride in our Constitution, our governing institutions and the representatives who serve us, even if we don’t always agree.

To my fellow Obama supporters and those who support McCain, its in our hands to protect and promote the integrity of the American structures of governance.  After all, neither Obama or McCain will be effective in handling the current crisis without public confidence and support. 

Respect, humility and empathy, not witch-hunts, bragging and insults, are what this country needs right now.