Hi Friend, Thursday night, my colleagues and I gathered our inspirational and inspired co-chairs from across the country by Zoom to brainstorm. The challenge: How should we describe the forces arrayed against the agenda – and against the America we all believe in? Who are the people, what are the dynamics, and where are the cultural obstacles that are polarizing our politics and hindering bipartisan solutions? At first blush, this exercise presents what might seem like a pair of contradictions. One, we don’t want to become the problem we are trying to solve. Which is to say, if negativity is a big part of what ails the nation, shouldn’t we steer clear of being negative? And, two, if we are called “No Labels,” shouldn’t we avoid labeling anyone or anything? On the first, we will keep our tone high minded and our mission clear: calling out the extremes of both sides, those who perpetuate the current dynamics of division. On the second, we are against labels that define us as separate tribes, not against using words to describe reality! We asked the state chairs about the phrase “partisan police,” to describe the elements on both sides that seek to intimidate and control behavior through the rigid enforcement of a code of conduct that caters only to the loudest, angriest voices in our society. We talked about “dividers” and “destroyers,” about sports metaphors, and about big money and big talkers. As we continue our search for the right language to engage our fellow citizens on our mission in 2023 and beyond, now we need your help. Please click HERE and tell us how you define the enemy of comity – who or what needs to be exposed and addressed in our efforts to bring about the kind of fundamental change we all want to see? | 
