It should always be nation over politics

Written By: Charlie Gerow

This column has been a weekly assignment for me for more than a decade. I’ve written 600 columns for PennLive, far eclipsing the regular writing I’ve done for national publications like The Hill and Real Clear Politics.

I take each week’s edition very seriously. My job is to research the topic, fashion a coherent argument and make the case for the conservative position opposite my friend, Mark Singel, who writes from the left side of the aisle.

The clear division between Mark and me has caused some fireworks on more than one occasion. One of the places where those sparks are seen is in the letters and notes I receive from readers responding to my weekly piece.

I take those letters and notes very seriously, especially those that are thoughtful and evidence some effort to express the reaction of the reader. Not all of them do. I’ve gotten more than my share of profanity laced rants and unsigned notes with incredibly snarky shots at my intellect, character and soul. I can’t pay much attention to those who hide behind the wall of anonymity I don’t have the benefit of.

But for the rest, I not only read them carefully, I reflect on them. I’ve even invited a couple of writers who took the time to blast my opinions to eat lunch with me. They’ve all accepted, and I’ve had some interesting conversations as a result. I didn’t change any minds, but that wasn’t the point. There are people of good will who don’t agree, and I owed it to them and myself to listen to what they had to say.

This week, Mark and I saw a letter printed by PennLive that was headlined “Mark Singel and Charlie Gerow offer unity and inclusion in politics.” Written by John Currie of Lower Allen Township, it made my day to hear his perspective.

I have to admit that I was surprised, albeit pleasantly so, by the tip of the hat from a man who once served on the staff of the Democratic Party in Harrisburg. Especially in this very contentious year, I wasn’t expecting such a message.

The year 2020 has been a tough year in many respects. The worldwide pandemic has taken a toll that none of us could have imagined as the year was ushered in. It’s led to some harsh differences between Mark and myself.

Suffice it to say that Mark doesn’t like Donald Trump even a little bit. I’ve accused him, on the air, of suffering from Trump Delusion Syndrome. He’s said equally derogatory things about my defense of Trump’s policies.

Throughout the year of shutdowns and lockdowns I’ve been one of Tom Wolf and Rachel Levine’s most outspoken critics. Mark has generally defended their actions. We exchanged some heated words over the Wolf Administration’s lockdowns and restrictions.

But through all of the rhetoric, Mr. Currie said he saw something bigger. He stated we “. . . somehow mix the need for balanced long-term solutions to long-term problems. Nation over politics.”

At such a contentious point in our life together, I hope and pray that he’s right. Nation first must always be a guiding principle.