Caitlin Huey-Burns, a columnist who dwells on politics, recently had some thoughts on Democrats’ approach to the next four years, taking advantage of confirmation hearings for president-elect Trump’s cabinet appointees to make political hay.
She wrote:
“Democrats can’t do much to block Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees from Senate approval, but the party is approaching the confirmation process as one of the first steps in its rebuilding effort following painful November losses.
“The effort includes getting opposition research and outside messaging groups into high gear, fundraising off of certain confirmation hearing highlights or controversies regarding some nominees, and coming up with a way to paint the administration they will run against in four years in an unflattering light.
“… For Democrats especially, the Cabinet hearings serve as a reminder that elections have consequences, as do their own actions.”
Sen. Cory Booker, New Jersey Democrat, attacked Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican who is Trump’s choice for attorney general, saying Sessions had demonstrated a “hostility” against upholding equal rights for the “marginalized, most degraded, most unfortunate” of Americans. No U.S. senator before had spoken out against another of the chamber being considered for confirmation to a cabinet position.
Then, Cong. John Lewis, a Democrat who has served in the House three decades and is a civil rights icon, questioned the legitimacy of Trump’s election; promised to boycott his inauguration. Trump responded with tweets, his favored form of expression, by belittling Lewis and questioning his role in making America more inclusive.
Trump’s retorts, reports of which should have had “thoughtless” attached in analysis, only steeled the resolve of Democrats to take the measure of Republicans at every opportunity.
IN KANSAS, the rumor grows stronger Democrats plan to let Republicans stew in the fiscal 2017 budget’s red ink, rather than join in finding a solution that doesn’t involve painful cuts to any number of vital programs, or extraordinary ways to raise revenue that also are hurtful.
Adam Lusker, Democrat who represents the eastern third of Allen County in the House, has vowed not to join any boycott of a coalition that may be necessary for GOP moderates to overcome opposition from conservatives and Gov. Sam Brownback.
Democrats’ point is, nationally and in Kansas, if they make governing difficult and are able to point to Republican majorities as the cause, they will find advantage in mid-term and 2020 elections.
Temptation to adopt such strategy is great, but it is wrong-headed, and a plague on constituents, regardless of party origin.
Being elected to office, at state or national level, carries grave responsibilities. Foremost is to work diligently for the public good.
When Carol Mix led the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce years ago, she had a small plaque on her desk that said, “Just think what we can accomplish if no one cares who gets the credit.” That may be a difficult approach for many elected officials to accept. They are hardened by long, expensive and contentious campaigns. But, they should in every case divorce that from their duties in representative governance and dismiss thoughts of personal advantage.
Good and helpful ideas may come from the domain of one party or the other, and when any surfaces they should be embraced, tweaked from thoughts that naturally arise, on both sides of the aisle, and be enacted if that is for the good of all, or at least most.
President Obama, in the little time he has left in the White House, would agree that some provisions of the Affordable Care Act can be improved. It was a start to an important aspect of federal reach in that it gave health insurance coverage to an additional 20 million Americans, who otherwise would be sitting on the sidelines and suffering. It also demanded pre-existing conditions not preclude a person from acquiring coverage, or have to pay an outrageously expensive premium.
Can Republican ideas improve Obamacare, with amendments or a new plan altogether? Very well within the realm of possibility. Most important is that we have an adequate plan in place, redone to absolve missteps or a new and better one altogether.
Doing away with Obamacare without a substitute would be terribly wrong.
Another outcome of Democrats’ wrangles, not unlike and probably not as severe as Republicans fomented the past eight years, is designs on how to affect elections, and acquire majorities.
In Canada and other countries, where democracies are very much alive, campaigns don’t start within minutes after one election cycle ends.
Those elected have their hands and minds full with immediacy without posturing and maneuvering for two, four or six years hence, in their dedication to keeping a seat Republican or Democratic.
The Founding Fathers didn’t mean for government service to be a career, rather they expected citizens to give a few years to country or state before retiring in concession to new ideas and new approaches.
George Washington viewed with disdain his very real opportunity at monarchy. Those we enable to serve today should have the same attitude, and concentrate only on their elective responsibilities.
— Bob Johnson
