How it once was and how it ought to be

The following is an edited email from a retired Republican state official who worked collaboratively with Democrats back in the 1980s and 1990s. He was not an anomaly as others did the same. ? From his email, which was forwarded to a group that collaborated, it reveals how it used to be, as well as how it ought to be. The editing is to mask identities.

“When I was serving in the State House in the 1980’s and 90’s there was an atmosphere of cooperation and respect that began to change. As Chair of a (redacted) Committee, I had a remarkable working relationship with the Democrat Senate Finance leadership. We met, we shared meals and I felt that we all wanted what was best for (our state). Common sense and common good were strongly accepted. (Three Democrat) Senators became good friends.

In early 2002, I began to sense a change in the make-up of the General Assembly as new members were elected. The attitudes and integrity of those new members was affecting the comradery of the institution. So, I came home and told my spouse (redacted), that I was not going to seek reelection. My regret is that I did not work hard to secure new candidates who would continue the balance for the good of our state. Our country’s political future is in jeopardy.”

The person who forwarded this to me was one of those Democrats who worked with him. He is now an Independent but remains interested in getting mutual conversation going. It has been more of an uphill battle these days.

Just a few more thoughts about how it used to be. In the US Congress, I read there used to be a common eating area that is now used for something else. It promoted conversation between elected officials, even across the aisle. Now, legislators socialize far less.

It was not uncommon to see folks like Senators John McCain and Joe Biden together. When McCain died a few years ago, I watched on “The View,” Biden switch seats to comfort a distraught Meghan McCain. He knew her as well as her father.

Democrat Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill and Republican President Ronald Reagan were such good friends, they would call each other at the end of the work day to have a drink together by phone. They both loved their country, so they set aside differences to work together per the book by Chris Matthews called "Tip and the Gipper" using the name of a Reagan movie character.

Finally, then Senator Barack Obama partnered several times with new Republican Senator Tom Coburn from Oklahoma to pass legislation. Their partnership was based off a friendship when both started out. They wanted to make a difference and did.

So, collaboration can be done. And, that is how it used to be done. Legislation that is bipartisan will stand the test of time better than one sided legislation or legislation made to look that way as the party orders people not to vote for something for optics. We need to get it together and those folks who do not want it to happen are the ones who need to be questioned not the ones who do.

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Keith Wilson的更多文章

  • Lessons musicians could teach politicians

    Lessons musicians could teach politicians

    Three musicians. Renowned for their talent, but also renowned for their collaboration.

  • Theatrics of perception

    Theatrics of perception

    Happy October. Only in America do retailers have Christmas ornaments, lights and artificial trees across the aisle from…

  • The White House Plumbers - an important anniversary

    The White House Plumbers - an important anniversary

    Fifty years ago next month, Richard Nixon resigned as president before he was impeached, convicted and removed from…

    1 条评论
  • Two sayings that might bring a smile to your face

    Two sayings that might bring a smile to your face

    As we were going through some old clothes and housing items in various closets, we came across two carved signs with…

  • Birth Control Message from The Boss (Bruce Springsteen that is)

    Birth Control Message from The Boss (Bruce Springsteen that is)

    I have cited Bruce Springsteen (The Boss) on a couple of occasions, but I want to lift some lyrics from one of my…

    2 条评论
  • Mission of honor and determination

    Mission of honor and determination

    My wife and I watched two older movies about World War II unexpected heroes. The first was a two part series called…

  • Grow up, please

    Grow up, please

    The latest attempt to embarrass and inconvenience people with different opinions is called “swatting.” The White House…

    1 条评论
  • Americans are not high on our political system

    Americans are not high on our political system

    Per a Pew Research Center, Americans are not high on our politicians and political system. Here is one excerpt: “Just…

  • I bruise you, you bruise me ...

    I bruise you, you bruise me ...

    After breaking up with Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel sang a beautiful song written by Jimmy Webb, who wrote several of Glen…

    2 条评论
  • We parents have let corporate interests and their puppets harm our children

    We parents have let corporate interests and their puppets harm our children

    It happens so insidiously. At the heart of all of this is corporations who are profitable are addicted to being…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了