Baby What a Big Surprise

The successful effort to get the BRAC committee to reject the proposal to close Ellsworth Air Force Base is reason for celebration. All of those involved have plenty of reasons to feel good about what they were able to accomplish. Against all odds they were able to successfully pull together and work for the common good and achieve something significant.

I find it interesting the surprise some are expressing about how our elected leaders can join forces and work together. Such amazement is part of the ugly residue of the campaign that started in the fall of 2001 and which seems to continue today.

Yet should anyone really be surprised or amazed? The idea that our elected officials will work together despite their political differences should be the rule, rather than the exception. After all, they are our elected “leaders.”

Hopefully the BRAC announcement can help shift the acrimonious tone for a while, at least until the next election.