Let's remember as the election season heats up," We are all on the same team."

What do I mean? We are on different idealogical teams. Those divisions have been there since the Whigs and Tories. What I mean is we may be liberal or conservative, Republican, Democrat or Independent, but we are all Americans. We want what is best for our country and our children.

Our debates should not turn to name calling and hatred but to convincing the opposing ideology that ours is better for everyones future. Who has the best ideas?

We shouldn't assume that because someone supports a particular policy that we despise, that we should in turn, despise the person. Why do they support it? Why don't we support it? Do they, or we have all the information or if we did, would our position be different?

For example, I am a conservative and a former supporter of the death penalty. However, with the growing number of convictions of ALL kinds that later are found to be incorrect or seem unjust, I can no longer support that position. How can I support the death penalty when convictions are EVER overturned?

On the other hand, I believe if some people who are opposed to the war in Iraq, understood more clearly the progress that is being made, they MAY change their position. If they drew parallels with other wars and conflicts through out our history they might realize that we have to finish what we started, AND that we were justified in going there.

Not everyone agrees. Some are violently opposed to any type of martial conflict. If it is honest belief, I respect that. I respect a committed conscientious objector just as I would a committed warrior. And these two people have there place and can be friends.

Remember this when you debate issues. Don't let it slide into the gutter of name calling and defamation. Stand up, stand firm, shake hands and come armed with your best arguments to do battle in " the arena of ideas." This is what makes our country great among nations. We have the ability to discuss our politics openly and without the threat of government retribution. That is something we can ALL be proud of.

It's good to check out what they are saying on the other side. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to you but then when you see what they write in their blog, you understand why they hold their position. Often, the main concern, honesty and accountability, is the same for both the basic grassroots conservative and liberal. Unfortunately, both see their opponents as liars. It is difficult to convince anyone on the left that President Bush speaks honestly and you would never convince anyone on the right that Hillary speaks honestly. Politicians in general have brought this upon themselves by constantly changing their opinions to suit whoever they speak to. Corruption in government is a primary concern and hated by both voters on the Left and on the Right. That is something we can all agree on. As we enter the election season, let's pressure our candidates to be honest. Listen to what they say now and what they have said in the past. How do they marry up? Are they telling us something just so they get our contribution and vote? Here is one way to find out. Visit my site www.thepresidentproject2008.com , click the link at the bottom of the page. ">