A meeting between eight members of two moderate Democratic caucuses and President Bush is a good step in opening communication between the parties.

Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham, co-chairman of the New Democrat Caucus, was among those who attended the meeting Friday.

Bush requested the meeting with the moderate Democrats as he adjusts to working with a Democratic-controlled Congress. The House members who attended said they discussed the Iraq war, free trade, appropriations and immigration.

While the 40-minute meeting gets the ball rolling in terms of cooperation, much more work is needed.

Bush went into office in 2001 with a promise to reach across the aisle and work together with Democrats.

In fact, in his inauguration address, Bush called for a new sense of unity and an end to partisan politics.

As for Davis, he said, “it’s important for the president to hear every now and then from people who disagree with him … It’s helpful that he hear dissenting opinions when they are presented in a respectful manner.”

While Bush made promises of reaching out to Democrats, that has not been proven to be the case during his first or second terms in office.

It is past time for our government to stop squabbling and start working together for the good of the country.

It’s what we put them in office to do.