November 6, 2013 Article

“COMPROMISE EQUALS GOOD GOVERNMENT”

In his final message to the nation, President George Washington wrote, “One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and the aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourself too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection.”

Today, we have a government with two parties fighting for control which, at times, is a detriment to our economy and our citizens. However, it has been pointed out that we really have four parties operating within our two-party political system – the Moderates and Ultra Left of the Democrats vs the Moderates and Ultra Right of the Republicans. To function, the government – it seems – might operate much more effectively if the Moderates of both parties formed an allegiance. Or, with four divisions, let us consider the inequities:

(1) While the Republicans feel that the size of government should return to the functionality of the established government upon the inception of our nation, the Democrats believe in the Preamble to the Constitution, meaning that Congress is responsible to see to the welfare of its citizens. When a population grows by multiples of millions, it is only common sense that the government must continue to grow. If a less governmental spending is the desire of some congressional members, they might consider cutting their salaries and expense accounts.

(2) A smaller government could result in a smaller organized Department of Defense comprised of community militias with little or no coordinated training. That would fit right in with the National Rifle Association’s less than accurate interpretation of the “right-to-bear arms”.

(3) Republicans proclaim that their stance on abortion, due to a religious teaching, is acceptable. To make that stance a political doctrine is not. That is but one example of why the Constitution clearly divides church from state. A WOMAN’S right to retain control of her body is a right which no MAN should be able to legislate away.

(4) Republicans want fewer regulations for their campaign contributors, while asking for increased governance in everyone’s bedrooms. Making reference to one limited source, in support of a premise, does not lead to an intelligent and/or thoughtful decision on an issue. The Republican Party platform – to which the majority of its members adhere – is no longer compatible with mainstream living in America.

(5) Democrats believe in clean air to breathe, safe water to drink and safe working conditions for employees. They also believe in an economy which offers employees the choice of joining bargaining groups to better their wages and working conditions. The opposite side touts their past misrepresentations to the population, wrongly convincing them that “right-to-work” laws would create more and better paying jobs. This, like trickle-down economics, has proven to be a disaster for the middle class. Organized unions, the backbone of the middle class, had very effective apprenticeship programs which promoted quality skills in and financial progressions for its members.

(6) If Republicans have their way, allowing global warming and atmospheric polluting to go unchecked, we will all have to learn how to row a boat or swim. Democrats would rather live on solid dry land and maintain a balance at the North and South Poles.

(7) To have a workforce that increases national productivity requires adequate education. Not everyone will matriculate at Harvard or Yale. Still, everyone should be afforded an education, with assistance from our government if needed, which allows them to progress economically. Trying to unobtrusively continue to reduce the financing of grades Pre-K-12 in public schools, while spending public schools’ dollars to add to the number of for-profit charter schools is discriminatory and does not give all Americans a fair chance at an equitable life.

Ken Wells

580-444-25