Let's Quit the Partisan Fighting and Solve the Problems!

In my early days of practicing law, I represented divorce clients. There were always the parties that resembled Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner’s characters in The War of the Roses. Nothing was good enough. Each party always wanted more than what they could realistically expect. Even after the judge issued orders from the bench and the divorce decreed was filed, these people were still fighting and blaming their problems on everyone but themselves.

It seems to me that the state of our government resembles an antagonistic divorce right now. Neither of the parties are listening to each other, let alone respecting one another. There are a lot of hateful words to go around, and no one is in problem solving mode. The voters resemble the children in cantankerous divorce battles. We’re sitting on the sidelines saying, “Hey, stop your selfish fighting and think about our needs! We’re hurting, here.” The middle class is getting squeezed by the day; health care premiums are rising (for those lucky enough to have health care); job loss continues with salaries stagnating; and retirement savings are a luxury for most Americans. The Democrats say it’s all the fault of the Republicans and the overspending and easy-money of the Bush administration. Republicans say that the time for blaming the Bush Administration is long over. They are sick of the rising deficits and feel threatened by the prospect of larger government which will inevitably lead to higher taxes.

If we don’t get our act together, this angry environment will get angrier and the public will suffer the most. My favorite Bible verse comes from Isaiah, 1.18: “Come let us reason, says the Lord.” This verse has guided me throughout my life, and inspired me to become an attorney. Only through reason and focusing on the facts can problems truly be solved. Earlier this week, an example of that reason prevailed in the Senate, and it gave the people hope. The Jobs Bill, which involves tax credits for small business and highway construction, passed on the Senate floor in a vote of 62-30. A handful of Republicans (including newly elected moderate Republican Scott Brown) voted with the Democrats because they wanted jobs for the people in their districts. We need more of this bipartisan effort on state and national levels.

Sadly, most politicians are focused only on winning their next election from the day they take office. Gridlock results because they do not want to take a stand on any issue that will end up coming back to bite them in their future campaigns. The American people are fed up with this mindset. More voters are leaving party labels and becoming Independents due to their cynicism about the two-party system.

I am running on the Democratic ticket for the 67th District House Representative seat. I hear what the people of Warren County want: no more taxes (they are strapped enough); no big government (we can’t afford the one we have); strong public education and affordable healthcare (the bill that ultimately passes may not please everyone, but we need to make some kind of improvement).

I realize that there are only elected Republicans in Warren County, and I will be perceived in this race as the underdog (The last Democrat who ran for this seat gained 38% of the vote, and I have the audacity to expect victory! )I also realize that at this junction, party label is not what it’s all about. It’s about getting beyond the name calling and serving the common good.