Are we responsible for gridlock in Washington and St. Paul?
Is it possible that we the people are responsible for the gridlock in Washington and St. Paul?
A commentary in the March 8 issue of Newsweek Magazine speaks volumes.
Evan Thomas writes that Washington is working just fine. It’s us that’s broken.”
He says our leaders are paralyzed at the very thought of asking us to make long-term sacrifices for long-term rewards.”
How true. Both parties are looking at getting re-elected rather than voting for what’s best for the country.
A lawmaker could not suggest that taxes be raised or the opposition will kill him at the polls.
Thomas says the last presidential candidate who called for taxing the middle class was Walter Mondale in 1984, defeated in all states but two.
During this debate on health care, Republicans are succeeding in making the public believe that passage will increase their health care costs. What do they think is happening to their health insurance premiums now? They are going up. One firm in California raised the premium 49 percent.
So why the paralysis?
I believe it’s because those who are satisfied are silent. They don’t write their congress persons and tell them to do what’s right and they will be elected.
In Minnesota, politicians were amazed when the public voted for an increase in the sales tax to fund the outdoors and the arts.
I believe when the public has all of the facts, it usually makes a common sense conclusion.
In his article, Thomas argues for those in power to step up as leaders and break this partisan gridlock.
So far, legislators in Washington are not willing to give up anything without getting anything, such as earmarks.
Partisanship, argues Thomas, has never been worse, saying that governing requires meaningful compromise.
Until we the people let our House and Senate persons know that we’ll back them when they make the right decisions, they will continue to look at the polls rather than what’s best for the country.
