With the launch of new administrations at every level of government, the media is laden with discussion of which issues should be addressed first: health care funding, clean energy, international relations, homelessness, income equity, tax structure.

We need to recognize that not a single one of these issues will move an inch closer to a lasting resolution until we fix our political system. I see two critical needs:

1. Restore the democratic process.

We know now that we cannot assume our leaders are all honorable people motivated by the long-term good of the country. We need to overhaul our processes to protect the integrity of the system from the consequences of unchecked greed.

Elections will be equitable only when we end the Electoral College, gerrymandering, and voter suppression. Legislation will represent the will of the people only when we limit terms, campaign funding, and campaign timelines, and put serious controls on lobbying, filibustering, and majority leaders.

2. Understand and address the issues that divide us.

We elected a Democratic president this time, but 74 million Americans voted the other way. All of us have needs and fears that must be included in the discussion, and not just via our “representatives.” It was that patriarchal, father-knows-best approach to lawmaking that got us on this roller coaster in the first place.

Instead, people need to know they’re heard as individuals, and governments need fresh ideas. Now is an excellent time to replace business as usual with some listening/collaborating/innovating steps at all levels of government.

These two formidable challenges have been under discussion for decades without resolution. But hey, we’re Americans. We’re hard-working, inventive and tenacious. We can solve tough problems.

If we don’t do anything else this time around, let’s make sure our “representatives” clean up this political mess and take a giant leap toward healing our democracy.