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.