No Gain, No Pain

The phrase No Pain No Gain has been around for a long time and everyone understands its meaning. These words flashed across my screen a few days ago as Alexa streamed a commentary in the background. 
 
“…Republicans and Democrats will be holding their collective breaths as each side waits to seize control of the US Congress.”
 
Coincidence or not, these two seemingly unrelated actions events sent a chill through me. 
What my ears heard and my eyes read caused me to unknowingly utter, “No gain, no pain.” I let the words and the commentary melt into a single thought.
 
Our politicians are playing the short game, waiting to gain control with each election. The tangible outcome is that there are no winners. Ineffectiveness and absurdity beseech our country because of this mentality. We need to find a way to return to looking at the long game that our forefathers hoped would sustain this country. This jockeying for our political system’s power is becoming the ever-controlling factor that locks our government into chaos. What if there is nothing to gain? 
 
Picture a US Congress comprised of two members from each state, one from each major party (in both houses). There would be no looking to Gain an advantage in the next election. Neither side can have a numerical benefit. So, pandering and holding out would make no sense.
The stalemate factor might indeed persist for a few terms. That’s the Pain part of the phrase. However, politicians on both sides would soon learn that working together is the only option. That’s how the No comes to rest in front of the word Pain in the new phrase.
 
The goal of possessing ultimate political party power would be removed from the governing equation. Imagine no need to redistrict, no restricting access to voting, and no crazy rules and laws, like you can’t give a bottle of water to a person standing in a line waiting to vote. 

No Gain, No Pain played out in our election process also gives voters equality. More importantly, voters can have a voice that represents them no matter where they live in whatever state. 
 
No Gain, No Pain; tell me what you think.