A Purple State

With the beautiful weather I have been taking loads of photos and some images came to mind as I snapped away that I thought were fitting to mention on today, primary day in Wisconsin.  As in most of the country the volatility of the political environment is so divisive and ugly that there seems to be no room for discussion, only cutting down the other group.  There is no effective governance taking place, only jockeying for the next election cycle.  I can say with a fair amount of confidence that our state reflects this to the utmost.  You can drive around and the election signs are scattered all over the landscape.  From yard to yard you can see the vast differences among neighbors.  We are considered one of the 'purple states'  that is supposed to reflect the virtually 50/50 split of red and blue.  To me, the reality of being a purple state is closer to being bruised, than being some idyllic middle of the road community.

I wonder what it would be like if we could be a purple state, like our state flower the wood violet, that exudes more a spirit of compromise and discussion?  Hmm, it seems that a middle ground would be a good course for our country's political system.   "The work of many minds, the Constitution stands as a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise."(taken from archives.gov)    I don't think that the We the People that the forefathers referred to meant We of our party not yours, We of our background not yours, We of our status not yours.  I think We the People is more in the spirit of compromise, doing what is best for us all.  We may not all agree, in fact we won't, but complete stalemate does nothing for any of the people but deepen the bruise, and I for one would prefer to enjoy the wood violets, competing, yet living in harmony with their fellow plants.