For those of us independents disgusted by the inaction on passing an aid bill for our allies, I say “thank you, Mike Johnson.” Thank you for finding a compromise that saw substantial numbers of Republicans and Democrats voting together to pass a bill that any serious observer of foreign policy and the world today deemed necessary. Thank you as well to Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for working with Johnson for the good of the country, rather than attempting to profit politically from internal Republican opposition — a small group of radical far right extremists who don’t understand the basic mathematics of a divided government that necessitates (gasp) compromise.

Hopefully, this bipartisan compromise can become a blueprint for marginalizing the extremist, radical wings of both parties. Bullies and whiners who are more interested in creating a “sound bite” that may appear on MSNBC or Fox News than they are in actually governing. Sorry extremists, in a two party system compromise is necessary. Oh, you don’t want to compromise? You want to mock and demonize the other side? Well then, you hate our country, because single party rule means, drumroll please, you don’t have a democracy.

Sorry left wing extremists, calling Joe Biden “Genocide Joe” and taking over city streets and college campuses is beyond stupid. Wound Biden enough and you will get your hated Trump back in office — great plan, eh? The Middle East is a complicated place, and excusing Radical Islamic Terrorism and ideology is certainly going to make it worse.

Fail to admit that, yes, the southern border is an absolute disaster and hope voters won’t pay attention — great plan! Maybe Joe Biden could use the same executive order powers to close the southern border that he used to attempt to wipe out billions in student debt. Nope, Joe Biden uses his executive powers to energize his supposed “young base,” and is derelict in using his executive powers to halt, immediately, the obvious and unsustainable border problem. And no, the compromise Lankford/Sinema bill was not a solution, just another kick of the can. Hey President Biden, imagine, if only for a day, that you are Harry Truman–the buck stops at your desk.

Sorry right wing extremists, attempting to remove another speaker and calling conservative Mike Johnson a tool of Democrats is beyond ignorant and childish. You are doing nothing serious to advance America’s interests in a complicated world. Our own Rep. Elise Stefanik voted with the likes of Taylor Greene, Massie and Gaetz against the Ukraine portion of the bill. Stefanik opposed Speaker Johnson, number two Steve Scalise and other serious conservative Republicans such as McCaul (Texas) and Turner (Ohio) who understand we can aid Ukraine now or send troops later when Putin invades NATO. Representative Stefanik showed her true colors with this vote as a pro-Putin, do-nothing radical–she’s no conservative in the traditional Reagan/Bush Sr./McCain sense. Nope, Stefanik is “Trump First,” all the way down.

China, Russia and Iran want nothing more than an internally-divided America. They are deadly serious countries, are we, anymore? America First equals America Alone equals America Last. Pick up a history book, please.

Imagine a country where each party truly puts the country first, and shows no tolerance for buffoons, criminals and incompetents in their own ranks.

Imagine Democrats saying to Bill Clinton, “you have one day to resign, or we will impeach and convict you” when Clinton perjured himself after behaving in a manner — in the workplace — that would have gotten the manager of any Stewart’s Shop immediately terminated. Disgraceful.

Imagine Republicans saying to Donald Trump on Jan. 7, “get the he** out the White House immediately.” They, and we, all saw the cops beaten and bear sprayed by Trump’s peaceful “tourists.” A complete disgrace.

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Mark J. Bealor lives in Saranac Lake.