There are remarkable similarities between the Tea Party Movement and the Occupy Wall Street protests. Yes, there are cavernous differences as well, but both movements are touching important public nerve endings.

First, both groups are suspicious of “the machine.” For Tea Party adherents, the machine is an over-bloated, under-accountable, out-of-control federal government. Critical Constitutional liberties and national values are being scorned in favor of a soft totalitarianism. The Occupy Wall Street communities see the machine a “corporate greed”, especially in the banking and finance industries. Where is all the bailout money that was supposed to help the “average citizen”? Billions of federal dollars are in the banks and few regular folks have enjoyed any real assistance.

There is much in common here: both groups are (rightly) suspicious of the Corporate State. 20th century history is filled with Communist, Fascist and even “democratic” regimes that established control by cutting deals with their favorite magnates, even as they proclaimed themselves the champions of the middle and working classes. For the Left, Apple Computer, Progressive Insurance and General Electric are OK, but any oil companies, smokestack industries or most banks are the epitome of evil. For the Right, the Federal Reserve, IRS and supporters of the anti-corporate agitiator (President Obama) are enemies of liberty and economic progress.

Second, both groups agitate publicly and are accused by their opponenets of being extremists. While there are a few “nut jobs” and professional agitators in both groups, the way particular media outlets portray these demonstrations is interesting. Tea Party folks are labeled racist, far-right, uncivil and much more by the left-leaning academic and media personalities. According to the Right, the Occupy Wall Street groups are communistic, socialistic and full of hypocritical leaders who endorse the protests while jetting off to foreign vacations.

There is a third similarity: both groups are deeply frustrated with systems that unethically enrich a few at the expense of the many. The Tea part folks ask why all politicians are wealthier after their “public service” and call for benefit and pension reform as well as fiscal responsibility. The Occupy Wall Street groups call out corporate and financial beneficiaries of government largesse. Why are executives getting huge bonuses while their companies still owe the texpayers?

There are differences between these groups as well. Occupy Wall Street has the tacit support of the Obama Administration and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Republicans want the Tea Party vote, but they are still squeamish about full endorsement due to media influence. The Tea Party movements is not an “astroturf” group manipulated by extremists – it is regular folks deeply concerned about borders/immigration, government regulation and size, and personal liberties. Occupy Wall Street has its share of media-hounds and socialists, but most folks want some kind of ethics and honesty in the systems that manage wealth.

A wise leader will see the commonalities and call for a new day of personal and social responsibility, with free markets, balanced budgets and fair tax codes. A wise leader can read between the lines and realize that most Americans do not want “pure” capitalism or socialism, but opportunity to flourish in a fair system (the rule of law) and compassion that cares for the vulnerable without creating generational dependency.

Populism is a deep vein in American political and social history. From the early emancipation and temperance movemments to the agrarian silver advocates to women’s suffrage and industrial unions, hard-working Americans have seen through the image-manipulation and advocated for justice. It is my hope that we can transcend the libelous labels and professional pundits and call on the goodwill of responsible people to elect ethical leaders and energetically promote policies that create wealth within the rule of law and open opportunities for a better future.

As we pause and remember the events and victims of 9-11-2001, we have an opportunity to recapture some of the courage and unity that marked the labors of our first responders and the spontaneous expressions of the American people. This unprecedented tragedy opened a new chapter of global warfare, awakening America and the West to the pervasive threat of radical Islam.

We need to celebrate our relative safety and express our gratitude to the men and women in our law enforcement, intelligence and military forces who work tirelessly to keep us secure.

We also need to reflect deeply on the current contradictions in our policies, with thousands of soldiers at risk, a political class afraid to confront intolerant Islam and economic policies undermining our strength to resist evil.

Even more than policy reflections, we need to respond to this moment with deep moral and spiritual change. Our greatest defense against terror is Divine love demonstrated in compassion, integrity and a resolve to honor past heroes with our own courage born of profound encounters with God and engaging service on behalf of others.

Our enemies call us decadent. We will respond with decency.

Our adversaries hate freedom and liberty. We will reaffirm that we want for all others the rights we desire for ourselves. We are willing to live with our deepest differences.

Radical Islam treasures a coercive, universal caliphate. We will value diversity and never capitulate to totalitarians.

Those who hate us also envy our prosperity and resent our influence. Our posture must be humble, generous and persuasive, allowing our reverence for God, respect for all people and resolute defence of freedom to lead us forward.

Let’s rid ourselves of fear and choose faith. Let’s forget being “politically correct” and choose moral clarity. Let’s love our Muslim neighbors, but not be naive about religious perversions that sanction violence. Let’s commemorate this moment with prayer, hugs for family and friends and choosing life every moment.

As the USA navigates uncharted economic rapids, there are groups of people that are overlooked in the passions and polemics. I am not speaking of the groups each political party claims as their own. Democrats claim the “poor” and Republicans claim the “small business” community. Tea party activists are marginalized and anyone for universal health care is labeled a socialist. Lost in all the rhetoric are several folks that deserve our attention and respect.

Our soldiers and veterans deserve better policies and support, from how and when we engage terrorism to the fiscal, physical and psychological needs they have off the battlefield.

Disabled and injured workers with legitimate needs have to navigate a dehumanizing system just to get the help they deserve.

Our ally Israel faces hostility from the leaders of the false “Arab Spring” and the threat of a unilateral declaration of another Palestinian state with no diplomatic or security guarantees.

Millions of families will be taxed again when a loved one passes away if there is not real reform in Congress.

Our citizens along the Mexican border and in several cities need protection from criminal cartels and illegal immigrants overtaking their land and opportunities. There are thousands of acres of beautiful parks that are war zones.

Deeply religious people of many traditions are alienated by social engineers determined to rewrite history and social norms.

In the midst of all the inflammatory language, the people most injured are the hard-working, mortgage-and-tax-paying citizens who deserve better stewards of the public trust.

On behalf of all the forgotten folks, I urge leaders to rediscover public service and restore the good credit of the USA.

Watching the current Debt Crisis debate is tortuous for any thoughtful person. Yes, there are real differences in how Democrats and Republican want to spend money – BUT there should be no differences on two goals – a balanced budget and a growing economy. What we have is political posturing, magical thinking and a contempt for Economics 101 and the good faith of the American people. In the tradition of King Solomon, considered the wisest man of his day (a claim I will not make!), I offer some proverbs to solve our current crisis:

Create a budget based on the real revenue of the previous year. If there is more money, decide ahead of time where it goes; if less, have the cuts ready.

We cannot be a warfare and welfare state. Declare victory, bring our troops home and have forces ready to strike at global terror threats from secure bases on land and sea.

Stop double and triple taxing the hard-earned wealth of Americans, here or abroad. No death taxes and lower the rate for foreign profits that have already been taxed overseas.

Begin a process of removing the thousands of agricultural subsidies that benefit huge agribusinesses and are no longer needed.

Eliminate the Department of Education.

Transform HUD and other agencies into efficient, decentralized catalysts for help and transformation instead of career paths for social science majors.

Cut defense spending and increase support for veterans. One less bomber means help for thousands of vets and less pork for Congress to give away.

Privatize all public pensions, with excellent regulations through the SEC and other agencies. Eliminate the special retirement benefits for elected federal officials and have them held to the same economic standards as all citizens.

Public employee unions should be able to bargain, but not hold taxpayers hostage to benefits they cannot afford. Bring all teachers and workers into Social Security and offer excellent private plans – just like the rest of the country.

Hold all government agencies accountable for best practices and have private-sector leaders offer insights on efficient methods and ethics.

Transform the IRS with a complete simplification of the tax code, and consider alternative ways of raising revenue.

Invigorate private/public partnerships for all kinds of infrastructure, with high standards, but honest bidding processes and a cap on “change orders” and lawsuits.

Stop sending tax dollars to colleges and universities for frivolous programs and lower the cost of education by demanding that teachers teach and students work.

Above all, create a balanced-budget process (with or without a Constitutional Amendment) that will unleash creativity and economic growth and allow us to start repaying our debt!

Change is unsettling. Even in our hectic, global-internet world, we want some things to be stable. We hope we can keep our marriages and our friends, our church and community connections and perhaps our favorite barista! We enjoy hearing from fellow high school and college alumni and when we drive past old neighborhoods we instinctively look for landmarks of our history.