Well, we survived. The election season with all the hype, half truths, innuendos and allegations has now passed. The whole affair is not dissimilar to the spring rains.

The rains come at unanticipated times, get everything wet but not equally, carry at lot of mud and debris and often attack our best efforts to divert them to useful purposes. They often wash away and destroy fertile lands and also flood homes with stinky, polluted water.

The politicians also come at unanticipated times both in person and by electronic means. They spread their rhetoric all over the landscape, carry a lot of hot air and half-truths and can seldom be diverted to stating useful solutions to problems. Their passing often damages relationships and leaves behind minds polluted with questions which cannot be answered.

The gentle soaking rain tends to nourish the plants needed by mankind to survive. The violent downpour accompanied by lightening and hail destroys both structures and calm nerves. The politician who informs and enlightens encourages participation by the voter in the processes needed to improve our civilization. The politician who verbally attacks opponents, belittles all who do not agree, and participates in slanderous activities destroys the faith of voters in both the system and of those who might otherwise participate.

The control of Congress has changed but will that result in bipartisan work to address the difficulties facing all of us? Will the acrimony and rigidity to ideas from the other side continue? If so, I am not just inclined but ready to embrace a third party. Christine Todd Whitman has started a movement IMPT or Its My Party Too. Granted, it has been directed at the Republicans but I think it should be directed at the Democrats also. The radicals ,extremists and fringe spoilers are destroying the two party system that has served us so well.

I think Joe Leiberman would be an excellent leader as would Colin Powell, Newt Gingrich and a number of others who have voiced the centrist philosophies of a get it done new party. At least that is my opinion.