Political Peace?

Now that House Speaker John Boehner has resigned both his position as Speaker and congressional seat as of October 30, the House of Representatives has a lot of work to do. Mostly the republican party has the work to do. But democrat members will also need to be alert to opportunities to make peace happen. The big change provides opportunity to make other changes. Will they be good for the country or bad?

That’s really a choice to be made by every member of the House and Senate.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said it yesterday – “one down and 434 more to go.” He is referring, of course, to Boehner’s resignation and the need for the rest of the House of Representatives to resign as well. I agree with him. Probably the only time I will agree with him! But there it is. The House is in deep trouble and it did it to itself. The best way out of their quagmire is for all resign and stage elections to fill the seats with fresh faces. It might help to also cut the number in half so each member has more to focus on rather than the narrow interests of their small districts. That’s one way to get them to focus on the big picture.

It also is a way to make congressmen understand that government does not begin or end with them. It begins and ends with the American people.

Recall the US Constitution was not written for all citizens of the nation. It was written for the people who owned land and thus had a stake in the country, and thus a vote to be wielded in the governance of the nation. Only in later years did the power to vote spread to all people 18 years of age or older who were natural or naturalized citizens.

It is clear that the notion of a landed gentry remains within the halls of Congress. If it were otherwise each representative would truly focus on the common good of the nation and its people, not special interest groups primed to financially support re-election of each member of congress.

Interest groups. They are part and parcel of our nation’s fabric. They are important. They keep our discussions lively and focused. But when they distort governance by swaying or outright purchase of votes, then governance is marred and dishonored.

That’s where we are right now. Our government is bought and paid for by special interest groups. Conservatives, National Rifle Association, American Medical Association, American Bankers’ Association, and so on. Each has a message and a bankroll for their candidates who toe the line. Are they ashamed of this announcement? No! They are proud to be called loyal supporters of one thing or another. Trouble is they don’t stop there. They support opposite points of view as long as the money is there for their re-election.

That has to stop. When the power seekers in Washington, DC sell themselves to the highest bidders, they abase themselves and our nation’s honor. Consistent with national honor, each guilty party ought to resign immediately. They know who they are. All they need is a mirror or a hall of mirrors. Perhaps the House and Senate Chambers should be lined with mirrors as a reminder that they ought not represent themselves but all of us.

Senator Lindsay Graham fears a meltdown in the House. Now that Boehner is out of the picture, the other representatives are free to pursue their rule of power – as diverse as that is, as unfocused as that is, and as uncoordinated as that is. Perhaps Graham is correct. Maybe the House will meltdown.

Look, the American people do not respect the current congress – house or senate. They distrust congress; they want it to focus on what’s best for the American people and the world. Those two big picture focal points are now one and the same. They cannot be divorced from one another.

What America does for itself must also be good for the global community. We do not govern that community, but we best do the right thing by the global community every time we have the opportunity. That’s how we will get along with others and others will learn how to get along with everyone else, too.  That’s what leadership is all about.

As the Pope stated the other day, the Golden Rule still rules.  “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It cannot be any simpler than that. Do right to expect right.

Same with congress. You folks do right by the American people and we will do just fine. But first, you have to understand what that really means and requires of you. Currently you are not doing very well. Either correct that or resign.

That’s also a very simple message. Is anyone listening?

September 29, 2015