Norman Ornstein pointed out some encouraging rhetoric coming from Congress and makes a few suggestions to encourage Comity. I excerpt liberally:
From Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio)…If there is one lesson that stands out from our party’s time in the majority, it is this: A Congressional majority is simply a means to an end. The value of a majority lies not in the chance to wield great power, but in the chance to use limited power to do great things.
“We refer to the gavel I’m holding as the Speaker’s gavel. But like everything else in this chamber, it really belongs to the people. It’s on loan from the real owners. This is the people’s House. This is the people’s Congress. And most of the people don’t care which party controls it; what they want is a government that is limited, honest, accountable and responsive to their needs. The moment a majority forgets this lesson, it begins writing itself a ticket to minority status. . . .
“Republicans will hold the incoming majority accountable for its promises and its actions. But we also want to work with the incoming majority for the good of the nation we were all elected to serve.
“Fundamentally, democracy is a battle of ideas. The battle of ideas is essential to a healthy nation. But it’s a battle that can take place respectfully. Republicans and Democrats can disagree with each other without being disagreeable to each other. Sometimes what people call partisanship is really a deep disagreement over a means to a shared goal. We should welcome that conversation–encourage it, enjoy it and be nice about it. Madame Speaker, may the best idea win.â€?Mr. Ornstein Suggests:
*After achieving the “Six in ’06â€? the Minority Bill of Rights might be reconsidered.
*Re-establish regular meetings of majority and minority party leaders.
*Encourage an open-door policy for minority Members with the Speaker –opportunities to raise issues and even grievances–and perhaps even a regular session in which she meets with rank-and-file GOP Members.
*Major committee should consider bipartisan retreats
*Committee staffs should get together regularly across party lines.
*Reconstitute genuine Oxford-style debates, in prime time, on the House and Senate floors.These meetings can help head off misunderstandings, end gratuitous high-handed or sadistic treatment by a committee chairman and maybe even produce dialogue on issues where Democrats and Republicans can find common ground. And they will make it harder for the minority to lob cheap shots at the majority with “gotcha� amendments or outrageous press releases.
Having a Congress we can be proud of will be a challenge, given the internal dynamics, the history and the external environment. But there is reason for encouragement.”
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Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.