1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

It’s heartbreaking to see how far our government has drifted from the values of empathy, cooperation, and genuine service to the people. We are watching elected officials—leaders entrusted with our collective well-being—turn politics into performance, power into division, and disagreement into paralysis. Where are the humans in our government? Where is the compassion, the humility, the courage to put people above party? Americans are going hungry while senators argue. Families are being priced out of homes, schools are underfunded, and health care remains out of reach for too many—all while political leaders bicker and posture. How do they sit with themselves, knowing that their inability to compromise and lead with decency has real, human consequences? This doesn’t feel civilized. This isn’t how adults should be in conflict. Bipartisan leadership isn’t a fantasy—it’s a moral necessity. True leadership means showing up for the people, not just for your base. It means listening, collaborating, and caring enough to find common ground, even when it’s hard. That’s what it means to govern in good faith. And we must ask ourselves: what are we modeling for the younger generations who are watching? What are we teaching them about respect, cooperation, and humanity when our government behaves like a battleground instead of a forum for progress? It’s time to reclaim our democracy as a space for compassion and courage. The American people deserve leaders who act not as partisans, but as humans—because that is who they represent.