This is the Way

Bi-Partisanship is the Way

Compromise is not evil

 

GOP leaders in the US House and Senate have lost their way and, unfortunately, our Senator Ron Johnson is following blindly along. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have staked out the position, “we will oppose everything” and dumped any notion of compromise. Johnson took the bait and is hooked.

 

Recent examples include McCarthy’s self-sabotage of his ability to take part in the Select Committee to investigate the January 6^th insurrection at the Capital and Mitch McConnell’s refusal to debate the bi-partisan infrastructure bill. Senator Johnson supports both positions and continues to question the validity of our elections, all evidence to the contrary. He even opposes the voting rights bills that would guarantee our right to cast a ballot.

 

As a result of the GOP leaderships’ extreme intransigence, they are in danger of losing control of their respective caucuses. Democrats are using GOP leaders’ extreme positions to carve out relationships with more moderate GOP members who see their re-election hinging on their ability to limit some of the extreme positions from the left. Ten republican senators are working on a bi-partisan infrastructure bill and have told Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer they will vote for it, even if the GOP leadership opposes the bill. Rep. Liz Cheney is openly defiant of McCarthy’s leadership and other republican representatives now openly declare that Joe Biden won the last election fair and square. 

 

Our system of government depends on the ability of our elected representatives to compromise to get things done. It has worked in the past when the branches of government and the general populace have been divided. The notion of compromise as a hallmark of governmental effectiveness only works when both sides agree that government has a role in solving societal problems.

 

In our current version of divided government, GOP leaders apparently believe that government should just get out of the way and let individuals solve their own problems. It is the result of the “take no prisoners” political strategy introduced by Newt Gingrich and advanced to extremes by the cult of Trump.

 

The future of the GOP is clearly not going to find success following the Trump cult and continuing to promote the “Big Lie” that Democrats stole the last election. Those, like Sen. Johnson, will soon see their political futures end following that path. The way to political relevance with most voters is to support governmental activity that helps improve the lives of everyday Americans and makes the extremely wealthy pay their fair share. 

 

Our local “conservative” elected officials would do well to dump the extreme GOP rhetoric as well. Supporting baseless election fraud conspiracy claims and trying to ban the teaching of America’s real history does little to advance an agenda that helps people have better living conditions. Saving money while cutting services to the elderly and infirm does not advance the public good. Ignoring public health crises while claiming the mantle of personal freedom does little except increase infection rates and early deaths. Suppressing legal voting by citizens of color does violence to the very fabric of democracy.

 

Moderating extremist views and looking for ways to work with those with whom you don’t agree will move us forward. If we sit down across a table with a good cup of coffee, we will find common ground on issues of concern that impact everyone and find solutions that work. If our current crop of elected officials can’t find that path, they will need to let those who can show the way, or voters will choose their replacements.