We’ve listened for years as presidential and congressional candidates make promises about working toward bipartisanship and we’ve also watched as their campaign promises quickly dissipate into oblivion once the usual politicking, political favoritism, and lobbying take hold in the halls of Congress. Politicians continue to remind us that they are more committed to political party agendas and ideologies than working to integrate the diversity of policy interests to produce legislative proposals which respond to a multiplicity of interests. Not too many elected officials seem willing to do the hard work necessary to move policymaking away from divisiveness and toward reaching workable compromises. Over past decades, politicians have successfully collaborated in ways that produced bipartisan legislation on a range of issues, and our nation is better off because of these efforts. Generally speaking, politics and propaganda rule Washington D.C., in place of common sense, good judgment, or reason. Ego, greed, and corruption are not exclusive to financial executives or professional athletes; these vices pervade the hearts and minds of politicians as well. Which is why it’s so fascinating to watch the President and Congress point fingers and throw questions at representatives of financial institutions for being driven by the desire to make money at whatever cost. Our elected leaders in Washington are doing the exact same thing and are just as guilty. No matter the cost to the American taxpayer, they are intent on filling the pockets and coffers of their political cronies, funding pet projects, exploiting expenses during overseas junkets, and the list goes on and on. Washington politics and the financial industry are two shades of the same color, and we would be wise to acknowledge this reality.

In spite of the few politicians who sincerely want to move our legislative processes in a more collaborative and civil direction, true bipartisanship may only be possible if it’s lead by persons and organizations that operate beyond the Washington Beltway and are not driven or contaminated by political agendas and special interests. Perhaps because politics by its very nature is so twisted and deceiving, we should not even expect outcomes that truly respond to the needs and concerns of disparate constituencies. The people across this great nation who represent both ends of the political spectrum and who are operating in fields such as public education and community development on a daily basis can be a beacon of hope for our elected officials. It’s possible that professionals from these other industries who have been successful in producing meaningful solutions for their communities, despite differing political views, could be the example that politicians need to move closer to real bipartisanship. This may only occur if these everyday practitioners and advocates are able to convince politicians to check their politics at the door and not be so fixated on the next election cycle. Those of us who operate and lead outside of the halls of Congress are going to have to provide the leadership necessary for this country to realize that real bipartisanship is possible when committed public servants collaborate around the real issues that are common to everyday people, families, and communities. In every sphere and profession of life, people and organizations are constantly partnering to resolve public, social, and economic challenges. This is why we know it can be done and that people are not being distracted or hindered by the simple fact that they represent different political viewpoints.