5 suggestions for a less polarized General Assembly
Published January 6, 2015
by Patrick Gannon, The Insider, January 5, 2015.
Jan. 14 brings a new legislative session and a fresh slate to the General Assembly, when old wounds should be healed, old habits forgotten.
But if not, here are five ways that Republicans and Democrats might get along better as they make new laws together in 2015.
1) Republicans should allow more Democrats' bills to be heard by committees. Nothing's worse than not getting picked for a team on the playground. When the majority party denies the minority's ability to participate, it breeds frustration and – at times – anger. Even if their bills are going to get voted down, Democrats should have more opportunities to plead their cases in committees for legislation important to them. They're elected, too, by roughly the same number of voters as Republicans.
2) Democrats should aim for a strong ground game rather than the Hail Mary pass. In recent years, Democrats and their supporters have protested loudly for such changes as an increased minimum wage, the reinstatement of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the rolling back of tax cuts for the wealthy. Maybe they should focus their energies – at least with Republicans in control – on policies and programs that Republicans might support, like teacher raises or textbooks or mental health reform. Not to say that Democrats and Republicans never work together in Raleigh, but it could happen more often, especially if Democrats pursue initiatives that their GOP counterparts are inclined to consider.
3) Limit the finger-pointing, name-calling and references to past Legislatures. This goes for all lawmakers. It's clear to anyone who watches state politics routinely that Republicans don't like it when protesters and Democrats call them "immoral," "radical" and the like. Who would? It probably makes Republicans far less likely to listen to Democrats or allow them to participate meaningfully in the process. Similarly, Democrats don't like it when Republicans use questionable legislative tactics and then rationalize them by saying the Democrats did it when they were in power, too. If your brother jumped off a bridge, would you? And why would Republicans want to emulate Democrats anyway?
4) Strive for better process. In recent years, Democrats and their supporters – and even some Republicans – have complained regularly about legislative tactics employed by the GOP majority. Among the gripes are late-night meetings where important legislation is discussed, rushing important bills through the process at the last minute, killing of Democrat-sponsored amendments, cutting off of debate on the chamber floors and the running of so-called "Christmas tree" bills with many diverse provisions. Eliminating these tactics would reduce fodder for complaints and promote harmony in the Legislative Building.
5) Better state budget process. The state budget is the most important piece of legislation considered each year. Making the document shorter by eliminating hundreds of pages of policy that have crept into budgets over the years would simplify the process. Policy issues, as many Republicans and Democrats would argue, should be left to standalone bills whenever possible. Also, the more time budget writers give fellow lawmakers to review the budget and determine its impacts – intended and otherwise – before having to vote on it, the happier they'll be.
Oh, and a coffee shop at the legislative complex couldn't hurt the camaraderie, especially during those late-night sessions in our future.
January 6, 2015 at 11:40 am
Norm Kelly says:
Historical reference please. 'Republicans should allow more Democrats' bills to be heard by committees'. Is this what the libs did when they ruled Raleigh? Or is this a new attitude because the libs lost? Is this another case of 'compromise' meaning that Republicans give up their position and simply accept the demon position? After all, according to the Socialist party and the majority of (lib) media types, compromise ALWAYS means libs get what they want even when they are the minority or have lost the most recent election. When libs won, Republicans were in the minority, did libs let Republican plans come to vote or even be heard in committee? The demons should be treated exactly the same way. We know for sure that libs in the US Senate lied to the American people when it came to how they were dealing with the Republican minority. First, the ever-senile Harry wouldn't let Republican bills come up for a vote. Then all the libs, in Washington and media, claimed that Republicans weren't even coming up with ideas to submit for consideration. So, what's changed, other than the socialists now being in the minority?
'especially if Democrats pursue initiatives that their GOP counterparts are inclined to consider'. Well there's a breath of fresh air! Can we expect this to happen? Nope. Not even close. Even though they are the minority, even though their socialist schemes, even though their tactic of pitting 'the wealthy' against 'the poor' was rejected by a majority of voters, we know demon party die-hards will refuse to let these items go. Let's keep a close eye on the schemes proposed by the libs and see exactly how many of them are middle-of-the-road type, where they show at least a little effort at trying to get along and compromise versus the far-left, socialist style schemes they continue to push which show insufficient public support to get passed. I won't hold my breath for 'compromise' to mean anything to the demons in Raleigh.
'Limit the finger-pointing, name-calling and references to past Legislatures'. Good idea. You first. We'll follow your lead. You continue to treat Republicans like a disease, continue to refer to EVERYTHING they say or do as racist, we'll respond in like fashion. Once again, why shouldn't we. When you treat us like this, why do you expect we'll just roll over and ask you to pet our bellies, like good little puppies? So, since libs constantly refer to Republicans as haters of women, haters of blacks, haters of 'the poor', haters of gay people, etc. etc. etc. etc. ad infinitum, you start being polite, kind, considerate, honest with citizens, and we'll continue to be as nice as we've always tried to be. You come UP to our level and we'll not come down to your level. But you first.
'... legislative tactics employed by the GOP majority. Among the gripes are late-night meetings ...'. You mean kinda like what the libs did to pass the lottery? I could probably come up with a number of other examples of how the libs did some dirty deeds, but you don't want to hear about them, cuz it would blow your argument out of the water. Is this another case of what's good for the goose is not good for the gander? Does the policy have to change because and only because the demons are in the minority? Double standard?
For all your recommendations on how the state Legislature can operate better, more friendly, I repeat my prior suggestion: you first. Show where you are willing to make some changes to the way demons operate, the things they purposely say about Republicans and later insincerely apologize for, and the tactics designed to prevent Republicans from having input on important matters, then we'll cooperate. However, if demons continue to operate the way they have for at least this first 15 years of the century, then expect Republicans to respond accordingly. Let's see you be nice for just a short period of time before we start being even nicer and trying to get along even more. Your turn. Let's see how long it is before you fail to meet this goal! I give you, at most, 6 months. With support from the likes of the N&D, I don't expect you to make even that short a period.
