A New name, and a renewed hope, is born.

        We already knew it. But a Pew Research Center study confirmed it. “Large majorities say the tone and nature of political debate in the United States has become more negative in recent years—as well as less respectful, less fact-based and less substantive.”
        What’s even more sobering? That study was done in 2019. It’s safe to say our national discourse hasn’t improved.
        It’s even safer to say it’s gotten worse.
        Standing undaunted in the midst of the chaos is one organization that reveres facts just like our Founding Fathers did. It was Thomas Jefferson who once said, “The possession of facts is knowledge; the use of them is wisdom; the choice of them, education.”
        An organization whose advisors, who are both Republican and Democrat, function like guardrails. They’re on the left and the right, keeping America’s youth on a road paved with facts. A road that, when followed, leads to a more informed America. A stronger America.
        An even better America than the one we inherited.
        This organization not only has the facts, but also has a vision. They see, not so far down this road, a time when those who hold our future, our young people, will lead conversations, and even companies, through dark times with the light of truth.
        And they envision a moment when, in voting booths from sea to shining sea, choices won’t be made based on some random TikTok video, or some meme that’s been getting hundreds of likes, but on something far more enduring—the critical thinking skills that have been honed at this organization’s events and programs.
        Then, with what they’ve learned from Leadership courses, they’ll teach others how to think, evaluate and judge with fairness.
        Lean&Mean was asked to create a name for this organization. Never have we been more honored.
        The name, in a few words, would have to capture their vision… to guide our nation, and our lawmakers, to the only place where things get done. A place called consensus. And the only way to get there is to reach across the aisle.
        And so, with Across the Aisle, a new name was born.
        Across the aisle, Americans would meet. Yes, Republicans, Democrats and Independents. In the peacefulness that remains after all the rancor, name calling and belligerence has been muffled, we’d all agree to follow what’s really true. Not my truth. Or your truth. Our truth.
        We’d reach across the aisle.
        And when we do, we find honesty, collaboration and trust. But the best thing we find? A nation that, once it’s united, unleashes its extraordinary, boundless, nothing-is-ever-impossible potential. And all the amazing things that we’ve accomplished as a nation won’t be confined to the history books.
        It will be Ameri-can again. Not Ameri-can’t.
        As Americans, way back in Kindergarten, we stood beside our desks and, while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, we uttered the word that today, we’re striving for our entire country to be.
        United.
        That despite a vast melting pot of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and opinions, we have one thing, one really big thing, in common.
        We all love our country.
        We’ll do anything for the one we love.
        We’ll even reach across the aisle.