Making a Deposit in Freedom's Bank

Now that the election is over it is time for us to make a deposit in freedom's bank. If we are to remain free and strong, our differences can not continue to divide us.

Democracy is not a prize to be given; rather, it is a valuable security earned by the selfless acts of citizens who risk their lives, stand in lines for five hours to vote, respect the worth of peers, and accept the will of the majority when their candidate does not win.

The Democrats who supported John Kerry have a chance to contribute to America by letting go of their disappointment and moving on. I happen to be one of you. The job ahead of us is vital. Each time a losing party puts the collective good of the nation ahead of its political interests, freedom's account grows larger.

In America, we are fortunate to have two major league teams, the Republicans and the Democrats, each with differing missions and game strategies. Our coach, President George Bush, rose from the ranks of the Republicans, and so we Democrats are a bit wary that we will not get any quality time out on the field.

This is where faith sustains us. Any coach who acts in his team's best interest does not bench gifted players. As Democrats, it is our job now to learn the coach's style and adapt our strengths and vision to fit the national agenda.

I urge my fellow Kerry supporters to join me now in making a long-term investment in the cause of liberty. The best way for us to change the nation's direction is to walk our talk. If we believe public education is under-funded, send dollars to local schools or community colleges. If urban violence keeps us awake at night, join the lifeguards on duty who pull our youth from the dangerous currents of inner-city life. We can promote tolerance still by listening to our opponents.

This week, I visited the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, a magnificent place that celebrates 2,000 brave men and women around the world who made remarkable contributions to liberty's cause by hiding Jewish families during the Holocaust, promoting religious freedom, and campaigning for justice, equality and peace.

Many of the exhibits' sculptures are made of glass, a reminder that democracy is both strong and fragile and, once it breaks, we can't ever make it whole again. The museum, which leads us through the journey from conflict to resolution, offers 10 tips to peacemakers:

• Listen more, talk less.
• Ask when we want something; making demands makes things worse.
• Focus on the problem, not the person.
• Deal with the challenge at hand, not issues of the past.
• Accept responsibility for our role in the conflict.
• Express our feelings without casting blame.
• Talk through our frustrations; avoid all physical expressions of anger.
• Choose our words with care.
• Look for a solution that is agreeable to all parties.
• Put the problem into perspective. Things seem better when we take a long-term view.

Americans must learn how to negotiate political conflict. If we don't, the capital withdrawn from freedom's fund eventually will outnumber the deposits, putting our greatest national investment at risk.