I am not sure what you are referring to when you mention democrats wash in their hands of systemic changes needed.
I do think that a lot more restrictions on behaviors by candidates and more analysis as to how the Supreme Court and the electoral college are set up and operate are warranted. Is this part of what you are referencing?
Great post Tom. Let's move beyond sheer raw partisanship and engage in robust discussion. Yes, both sides are to blame, but instead of pointing fingers, let us resolve to look within ourselves and our respective political party to save our country.
Absolutely agree. We need partisans from both sides to stop looking for “common ground” and start identifying where compromise is possible and what each is willing to give up to achieve a greater goal. Common ground, by definition, is where we already agree. What we need is compromise on issues where there is no broad agreement. That’s the only path to breaking the gridlock on so many issues now stalled in Congress and our state legislatures. Republicans and Democrats too often put stakes in the ground and refuse to budge on any issue, willing to accept all-or-nothing outcomes. We need good, “something” outcomes.
Unfortunately the GOP s murderous rage and yearning for blood has already been raging for years. It has been baked into their platform and candidates. A GOP President wanted to lead a weapon armed mob to kill legislators and his vice president. A GOP Texas governor refuses to stop the selling of Military style weapons. I am afraid for our future Tom. Don't lecture about the Democrat s. They are not threatening to kill anyone.
Republicans too often have normalized violence in politics and the threat posed by former President Trump to our country is beyond anything witnessed at least in my lifetime. Republicans have become more extreme in ways that harm our country. Even with that, though, don’t let Democrats off the hook for their role in perpetuating a political system that isn’t working to solve problems. Instead of championing the kinds of reforms that would make elections more competitive and pave the way for new candidates and innovative ideas, they have joined Republicans in protecting the duopoly.
Tom, you are once again in the interests of "moderation" trying to compare lemons and jet turbines. If you have a national political party willing to use violence and intimidation to achieve their goals, there are two conclusions to draw. They realize their policies will not be supported by the majority of voters, and two, they are not willing to discuss the merits of their goals.
I hate this allegory, but would you posit that German voters amend the rules of the Bundestag so that Hitler would stop using the Brown Shirts to terrify and coerce the German public?
You misstate what I wrote. There are no false equivalencies stated or even implied in this post. Instead, what I am saying is that the best antidote to what ails our country is more engagement by informed and committed citizens of all political stripes. Yes, the embrace of violence by some Republicans is horrifying. But your analogy misses the point. No, I am not arguing that violence should be accepted. What I am arguing is that our political system will continue to suffer until citizens decide that both parties need reform, that Democrats can’t wash their hands of today’s political challenges and the need for system reform hoping that their partisan issues will be served even if their passive acceptance harms the country, and Republicans can’t continue to accept violence and an abject disregard for the rule of law.
Democrats have been unwilling to risk political capital to promote political system reforms like ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform or redistricting reforms. In Congress, they chose to pursue a voting rights bill that might have passed to make a larger statement that resulted in campaign fodder, but no progress. Come time, Democratic groups will rally to support Sens. Manchin and Sinema because holding power is important. I could go on, but my point is this: Yes, the Republican Party and most of its leaders have abandoned principles and integrity in service to Donald Trump or the extreme right wing. But Democrats, too, have often put politics ahead of substance because winning elections is what matters.
I don’t often agree with many of your posts and positions. I agree with this summary: “ In short, we as citizens are enablers. We give too little thought and less action to the responsibilities each of us has to our country, our communities and our fellow citizens. The question isn’t whether America can change course; rather, it is whether we are willing to accept the consequences of not meeting the challenges that healing our fractured country require.“
America has not been perfect and will not be perfect in the future, but we do seem to be able to figure out a better way moving forward.
Thank you. I especially appreciate those like you who take the time to read commentary by those with whom they often disagree. Listening to different perspectives is essential for our country’s future. I hope you continue to read and post your views.
E pluribus unum, Tom. We need to hear all the voices in this country. Not just the loudest or the richest. Only then can we capture the magic that is America
I am not sure what you are referring to when you mention democrats wash in their hands of systemic changes needed.
I do think that a lot more restrictions on behaviors by candidates and more analysis as to how the Supreme Court and the electoral college are set up and operate are warranted. Is this part of what you are referencing?
Thank you for replying
Great post Tom. Let's move beyond sheer raw partisanship and engage in robust discussion. Yes, both sides are to blame, but instead of pointing fingers, let us resolve to look within ourselves and our respective political party to save our country.
Absolutely agree. We need partisans from both sides to stop looking for “common ground” and start identifying where compromise is possible and what each is willing to give up to achieve a greater goal. Common ground, by definition, is where we already agree. What we need is compromise on issues where there is no broad agreement. That’s the only path to breaking the gridlock on so many issues now stalled in Congress and our state legislatures. Republicans and Democrats too often put stakes in the ground and refuse to budge on any issue, willing to accept all-or-nothing outcomes. We need good, “something” outcomes.
Unfortunately the GOP s murderous rage and yearning for blood has already been raging for years. It has been baked into their platform and candidates. A GOP President wanted to lead a weapon armed mob to kill legislators and his vice president. A GOP Texas governor refuses to stop the selling of Military style weapons. I am afraid for our future Tom. Don't lecture about the Democrat s. They are not threatening to kill anyone.
Republicans too often have normalized violence in politics and the threat posed by former President Trump to our country is beyond anything witnessed at least in my lifetime. Republicans have become more extreme in ways that harm our country. Even with that, though, don’t let Democrats off the hook for their role in perpetuating a political system that isn’t working to solve problems. Instead of championing the kinds of reforms that would make elections more competitive and pave the way for new candidates and innovative ideas, they have joined Republicans in protecting the duopoly.
Tom, you are once again in the interests of "moderation" trying to compare lemons and jet turbines. If you have a national political party willing to use violence and intimidation to achieve their goals, there are two conclusions to draw. They realize their policies will not be supported by the majority of voters, and two, they are not willing to discuss the merits of their goals.
I hate this allegory, but would you posit that German voters amend the rules of the Bundestag so that Hitler would stop using the Brown Shirts to terrify and coerce the German public?
You misstate what I wrote. There are no false equivalencies stated or even implied in this post. Instead, what I am saying is that the best antidote to what ails our country is more engagement by informed and committed citizens of all political stripes. Yes, the embrace of violence by some Republicans is horrifying. But your analogy misses the point. No, I am not arguing that violence should be accepted. What I am arguing is that our political system will continue to suffer until citizens decide that both parties need reform, that Democrats can’t wash their hands of today’s political challenges and the need for system reform hoping that their partisan issues will be served even if their passive acceptance harms the country, and Republicans can’t continue to accept violence and an abject disregard for the rule of law.
Democrats have been unwilling to risk political capital to promote political system reforms like ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform or redistricting reforms. In Congress, they chose to pursue a voting rights bill that might have passed to make a larger statement that resulted in campaign fodder, but no progress. Come time, Democratic groups will rally to support Sens. Manchin and Sinema because holding power is important. I could go on, but my point is this: Yes, the Republican Party and most of its leaders have abandoned principles and integrity in service to Donald Trump or the extreme right wing. But Democrats, too, have often put politics ahead of substance because winning elections is what matters.
I don’t often agree with many of your posts and positions. I agree with this summary: “ In short, we as citizens are enablers. We give too little thought and less action to the responsibilities each of us has to our country, our communities and our fellow citizens. The question isn’t whether America can change course; rather, it is whether we are willing to accept the consequences of not meeting the challenges that healing our fractured country require.“
America has not been perfect and will not be perfect in the future, but we do seem to be able to figure out a better way moving forward.
Thank you. I especially appreciate those like you who take the time to read commentary by those with whom they often disagree. Listening to different perspectives is essential for our country’s future. I hope you continue to read and post your views.
E pluribus unum, Tom. We need to hear all the voices in this country. Not just the loudest or the richest. Only then can we capture the magic that is America