Name:   copperline - Subject:   This could be the game-changer we all need Date:   9/26/2015 10:36:41 AM

I am not a Catholic, and don't agree with some of the positions of the Catholic Church.... but I do admire any man who is principled enough to stand by his beliefs in the way of Pope Francis.   In keeping true to his religious beliefs, he pretty much transcends labels like conservative or liberal, and leaves the rest of us to consider how our politics square with common human virtues like tolerance, forgiveness, care for the poor & sick.   He effectively holds up a big mirror so we can see ourselves more clearly, and our current political conversation suddenly looks petty, mean-spirited & selfish.

At the same time, Bernie Sanders is elevating the conversation by addressing income inequality & social conditions that can only be addressed when we admit that everyone here matters.... and that many people are either too poor or poorly educated to participate in our system.  Sanders' message runs in the same vein as the Pope's.

My guess is that John Boehner was moved by his experience with the Pope to walk away from the political war he was alternately trying to manage or inflame depending on whatever goal he was pursuing that day.   He'd had enough, and I can sympathize with him a bit... it must have been the worst job in the world.   But I think it's important to note that his last big act as Speaker was to bring into Congress a man who spoke about rising to a new level... someone who challenged Congress to act with reason & compassion, kindness and wisdom.    With that gesture, Boehner brought his right wing to a Come To Jesus meeting he hopes will bring some end to the craziness he has been trying to wrangle....and has been partly responsible for.

And then, standing out on the stage as an example of low & mean-spirited America, is Donald Trump.   Listening to him is like hearing a condensed version of the worst of the US character.   Imagining how a uber-rich, arrogant & selfish American proposes to run the country really is a startling contrast to the example of the Pope and Bernie Sanders. 

Here's to hoping that the Pope's visit and Bernie Sanders' messaging brings this conversation to a higher level in the next election cycle.