They say every journey begins with the first step - but perhaps ours must begin with a turnaround. The path to progress that has brought us to today's crossroads started long before many people were convinced that America had to be made great again. America has been great for generations, thanks to everyday Americans driven by common values and grit.

We the people live to experience the best that comes from our pursuits, whether it be with family, friends, or communities we choose. Twenty years ago, I set aside my personal pursuits to take a long shot at serving in Texas government in a very consequential role. But I digress. Every American citizen has a consequential role in our government by doing everyday things like going to work, maintaining our households, and yes even praying.

The fact is, however, sometimes sh*t happens, even to those that prepare and plan for everything imaginable. I heard many stories of struggles across Texas in 2006. Sure. In the course of anyone's lifetime, there will be struggles. No different now than it was 20 years ago in Texas. Still, when the storms pass, we retreat to recover and build up strength for what may come next. At this time, we must summon all the strength we can to work on the problems of today. Because another consequential role we play is electing those who solve, not create, problems in our different levels of government.

Hear ye, hear ye. We have one problem that affects us all, American political parties, specifically the Democratic and Republican parties. In their lack of representation of Americans as a whole, they fail in their job to be leaders when it comes to the respect for the rule of law. The Congress must make laws that are enforceable. If not, the trail for disregard of laws goes from the neighborhood bully to the bully in the White House.

Both parties have energized opposing sides of every debated issue. Neither party has vigorously defended each side about the need for debate. The party loyalists fight for survival or dominance of their party. We the people get lost in that fight. We the people must get energized to demand the end of political party extremism in America today.

They say, as goes Texas, so goes the nation. The time to end political party extremism is now. We must be the shot heard around the world.