Dictionaries define “statesmanship” as the skillful management of public affairs.

Isn’t it about time we begin to see more of that quality from our leaders, particularly the members of Congress who have played such a significant role in letting our national status slump to its present state?

Republicans get busy on some kind of program, and almost instantly there are Democratic promises to hinder their efforts, not particularly because of the issues at hand but just for the sake of being a hindrance.

Democrats, eagerly awaiting the seating of President-elect Barack Obama, contend they have many of the answers to the perplexing questions facing the nation but then try to pester the Republicans every way they can to sidetrack the answers.

Members of both parties delight, it seems, in declaring how they will work to produce “nuisance” activities to battle the people on the other sides of the aisles in Congress. Fun and games, it sounds like, something we certainly don’t need right now.

The time is here, immediately, for all such petty bickering and politicking to end and for all our leaders, questionable as some of their merits might be, to do what is best for America and Americans. One could go on for an hour or more producing a list of the vital actions that are necessary to get our economy and our financial health back in order. There is no shortage of tough issues to be resolved and it is going to take a lot of that to get things nearer to even keel.

Yet at the very time when everyone in any position of authority should be trying his or her best to solve problems and to welcome any kind of help they can to do so, we are back to the parochial foolishness that got us where we are.

How about more skillful management of public affairs, and cooperation from everyone in the efforts to produce results?

The nation has always had great need for statesmanship, but it may never have been crying out for that more loudly than it is now.

Repeat: Statesmanship, the skillful management of public affairs. How long before more of our people get it, and work together to get our public affairs in better order?