Now is the time for all good women and men to come to the aid of their country! That (with a slight modification) was the first sentence I learned to type when there were actually typing classes in high school.

After the election on Tuesday, we need to take those words to heart.

John McCain gave a courageous, generous and patriotic concession speech on Tuesday night. His words and behavior after the election results became clear should be an example to us all.

We have too much to do in this country and around the world to continue the polarization which has racked this country for the past many years.

We all know that we have very serious issues which need to be addressed in the months and years ahead.

No one has all the answers … not the Democrats … not the Republicans … not the Libertarians or Green Party or any other political, social, economic or religious viewpoint or organization. On the other hand, each group has some positive ideas to contribute to addressing our national and international challenges.

Let's do it together.

Let's really listen to each other and our different viewpoints and let's learn from each other.

And, let's do it on the basis that the common good is as important to our well-being as is our individual good.

We need to look out for ourselves and our families. But we also need to balance that self-care with care for the common good. What happens around us, whether it is unemployment, foreclosures, lack of health care, crime and violence, a deteriorating environment, shrinking oil supplies, the need for sustainable energy sources and death and destruction by war and genocides, affect all of us, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly.

We cannot afford to be pitted against each other. We have a wonderful abundance in this country. Even with the recent economic crises, we truly have enough for all. And, the key word in that sentence is the word "enough." We need to adopt an ethic of "enough." More is not always better.

The American promise and dream of our children and grandchildren having a better life is still alive and possible. But the American promise and dream of better life is not just one of "getting more and getting mine." It is more than bigger houses or fancier cars or more electronic toys than our parents had. We are more than shoppers and consumers.

The American dream and promise, in the words of our Founders and in the words of our Constitution, is that "We the People" can aspire to and achieve "A more Perfect Union."

Let's take up that challenge and vision. Let us find practical ways to meet and work with each other to solve the problems which affect us all. This recent election process has energized many people to work together for the good of our country. Let's not allow that energy and commitment die. Let's not leave it to our elected leaders alone to make changes. They should follow us, not the other way around.

Stay involved. Become part of a civic, political, social or religious organization which focuses on "making the world a better place." That seems like an old and hackneyed idea, but we need to do that for the sake of our country and for the sake of our selves.

Ben Franklin said years ago, "We must all hang together or we will surely all hang alone." Though we are fortunately not in the same danger of being hung as were our Founders, we are at an important crossroads in the history of our country. Our Founders literally risked their "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" to bring about this democracy and wonderful country. We must risk our time, our ideas, our hard work and maybe even some money to ensure that the democracy we enjoy today remains strong and vital and that "We the People" pass on a "More Perfect Union" to those who come after us.

Robert Beezat is semi-retired businessman and a volunteer for Network, a national Catholic association based in Washington, D.C. that lobbies for peace and justice. He lives in Racine.