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In this age of hyper-partisanship, we tend to focus on areas of disagreement. But surely Americans can agree on some things.
Can we agree that the overriding purpose of government is to promote the common good?
Can we agree that promoting the common good includes addressing climate change, crumbling infrastructure, immigration, inequalities in income, health care, education, voting rights, human rights, and justice under the law?
Can we agree that we can achieve progress in these areas through collaboration among public and private partners and in a stable and predictable atmosphere?
Can we agree to stipulate the following facts?
- Mitch McConnell stated proudly in 2010 that the “single most important thing we want to achieveis for President Obama to be a one-term President.”
- As Senate Majority Leader, McConnell fulfilled his self-designated role as Grim Reaper again and again, including preventing hundreds of bills passed in the House from even getting to the Senate floor and blocking Merrick Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
- One of the first legislative actions Republicans took following Trump’s election was attempting to strip poor Americans of health insurance by repealing the Affordable Care Act. While that failed, Republicans were successful in changing the tax code, but the biggest beneficiaries of that legislation were wealthy people and corporations.
- Trump failed to move forward on legislation to repair and replace our crumbling infrastructure. And now that Democrats have won the Presidency and majority control of the House of Representatives, McConnell is refusing to work with Democrats in the Senate to address these same problems.
- Republican legislators in Washington turned a blind eye to the many inappropriate and illegal actions taken by Trump. Senate Republicans refused even to call witnesses in his first impeachment trial, and almost all voted to acquit in the second impeachment trial. Furthermore, despite recounts in multiple states and more than 60 court cases that affirmed Biden’s victory last November, 232Republicans still voted to reject certification of 2020 election results.
Can we agree the above facts demonstrate that current Congressional Republicans will not collaborate with Democrats to solve the problems we face?
And finally, can we agree that the absence of collaboration does not relieve Congress of the responsibility to enact legislation promoting the common good? If so, then what course of action is open to Congress?
Dems must act unilaterally
The only course available now is for Democrats to act unilaterally to pass legislation promoting the welfare of all Americans. This will not be popular with many, including some Democrats. But Democrats must act anyway and trust that voters, regardless of their political leanings, will see the value in supporting candidates who solve the problems we face.
And if that happens, Republican legislators might see the wisdom in focusing on the mission rather than on obstruction—especially if the alternative is being left behind and irrelevant. And it is at least possible, though ironic, that bipartisanship could re-emerge as a consequence of Democrats acting unilaterally.
I know many people worry about the long-term consequences of acting unilaterally. My question to them is, “What are the long-term consequences of not acting?” We are at a fork in the road. The path to take must be post–partisan, and the tasks are to get things done for the American people and show them that Congress can work. And if that means limiting or even eliminating the filibuster, then so be it.
So in the words of Admiral Farragut, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.”
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