Lawsuits. Veto threats. Power grabs. Protests. My rights, his rights. No one’s right. What a way to end 2016. Recovering from one of most contentious elections and a special session of the General Assembly tarnished by constitutional challenges, most North Carolinians are left asking, can’t we all just get along?

Ideas are powerful things. Not only can good ideas based on common goals move our state forward, ideas can bring us together. With a new president pledging to restore strength to the states, North Carolina is positioned to be a national leader in promoting good ideas.

Let’s put the animosity of 2016 behind us and look to issues that we can agree to, get behind, and work for to continue our state’s path to prosperity. After all, who can disagree with providing opportunities for everyone to learn, work, invest, make the most of what they earn, and pave their own road to freedom?

Don’t we all want to pay less taxes and know the money we are paying is used well? Reining in the growth of government while ensuring the core functions are funded fully respects hard-working families and provides assistance where needed. Getting rid of special tax carve-outs simplifies the system and treats everyone the same.

Outgoing Gov. Pat McCrory and incoming Gov. Roy Cooper agree on investing in roads, bridges, and infrastructure. Let’s all get behind a long term plan based on data and safety, not politics.

There was a unanimous vote in the General Assembly to send disaster relief to our friends and neighbors hit hard by storms, floods, and forest fires. Let’s shore up that savings reserve account now and be prepared for the next natural or economic disaster we know is coming.

Speaking of planning for the future, let’s put some of our surplus revenue toward the pension plan for state employees. We need to keep our promises.

Can we agree everyone has the right to earn a living? Removing barriers such as unreasonable licensing requirements, restrictions on how and when you can do business, and allowing you freedom to work at the job your training enables you to do are necessary for earning the living you choose.

Keeping energy costs low benefits everyone, especially our neighbors with lower incomes. As businesses consider where and how to expand, creating jobs, energy costs are a driver of those decisions. Keeping costs down spreads through the economy, helping businesses, consumers, and taxpayers.

Every child deserves an opportunity to get a good education. Let’s keep good teachers in the classroom by paying them more and giving them opportunities to grow in their profession. And offer choices so kids find their way to success.

Health-care costs are out of control, many North Carolinians don’t have access to the care they need, and for many, quality care is not available. Let’s put patients in charge rather than big government. Get rid of restrictions on facilities and new equipment and encourage closer doctor/patient relationships. Put Medicaid recipients in charge of their own care and stop the fraudsters from stealing resources from the truly needy.

Let’s stop with name-calling, accusations, and political posturing and focus on what matters: good ideas that move North Carolina forward while bringing us together. Ideas are powerful things and North Carolina has a long history of good ideas that work. Let’s talk, discuss, debate and recommit to that tradition of ideas.

Our state toast says, “…where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great, Here’s to “down home,” the Old North State!” Give the ideas of freedom a chance and have a prosperous 2017.

Becki Gray is senior vice president of the John Locke Foundation.