Apollo 8 44 years later

Those of us who were around in 1968 remember watching as Jim Lovell, Frank Borman and Bill Anders read from Genesis while orbiting the moon.  Most people have seen the iconic pictures they took of the Earth.. "the blue marble".   Those words spoken by the first 3 humans to leave the influence of this Earth had so much more meaning while being able to look at the complete Earth.  We truly are one human race on this little marble.  Only 7 months  and on the 3rd flights later we had improved the processes and  Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were standing on the moon. 

For sure those years were turbulent times.  I don't remember much of the riots and race issues.  We were raised to treat our fellow man as equals so didn't understand much about the issues of the times.   What is clear is that we went to the moon by focusing on a goal and achieving that goal.   This is something that is lacking today.   Our Legislative and Executive branches are mired in squabbles both within their own party and with the other party.   They aren't able to do what is expected of EVERY successful business..... Have a balanced budget.   Instead they continue to argue, spend and take every opportunity to change the focus to something else.   Folks,  Get it together.. FOCUS... Forget everything else.  Pass a real budget and you'll find that a lot of other problems just go away.   Take a bold step as we did in the space program.   Republicans and Democrats, join with each other as you did in a joint session after the senseless attack on Gabriele Giffords.    Get rid of the center aisle,  In the new session sit with each other and work together for the American party.  Enlist the support and draft some of your regular "every day guy and gal"  constituents to work with you to really solve problems, not just talk about them.  Don't talk to your colleagues... Talk WITH your colleagues.  We have to work together and return this country to being innovative and leadership, not just on the political and peace front but in industry and to be a place where we can be proud of the people we elect to governmental office because of what they do. 

The  Mercury 7, Gemini, Apollo, Space Shuttle, MIR and ISS astronauts and cosmonauts took and are taking bold steps in space exploration.  We have so much because of that focus.   Those of us who are Earthbound should do the same.