The role of democratic government is to establish and maintain a society in which personal freedom is maintained within a collective context of well-being and individual opportunity. Public safety, economic sustainability, and moral consistency are the foundational cornerstones of successful leadership direction and oversight. As it approaches its 250th anniversary, a troubled America must reassess the purpose and principles from which it has deviated. Top-down governance based on identity-group appeasement and special-interest pandering has failed to preserve the essential fabric of our citizen-driven society. This reality is nowhere more evident than in petulant behavior during the recent State of the Union address. Representative government cannot continue to be effective and inspiring without clear bipartisan commitment to its essential principles and goals. Voters have spoken clearly and decisively as to preferred party leadership, rendering contrived protest and obstruction offensive, demeaning and counter-productive. The need for meaningful change in policy and practice becomes undeniable in light of revelations of administrative secrecy and malfeasance. A dominant political class has failed us, and it’s time for a more businesslike management approach that can restore public confidence in America’s sense of fairness and future. Phil Osifer