Have you noticed how few open-minded people you encounter these days when it comes to politicized issues? Is constructive dialogue going to be encouraged by waving derisive placards at passing motorists? Do such demonstrations prove anything other than personal desire to seek virtue with supportive, like-minded persons and withstand bitter wind and cold? Subversion is the opposite of virtue. When has a ‘party of no’ been successful with a negative platform of obstruction to clearly expressed public sentiment? Why has mutual consensus proved impossible on a half-dozen critical issues identified by multiple polls as top concerns by substantial majorities of the general public? Obstinate refusal to consider the agenda presented to Congress is a reflection of embedded animosity toward the rival party rather than recognition of the outgoing regime’s personality and platform shortcomings. It takes two to tango, and a sit-down can only be regressive to national interests and a long history of effective two-party governance. Let’s stop the juvenile sign language and observe the traditional decorum of our Congressional forum. Phil Osifer