I voted for a Democrat for President only once, when I was in first grade and the class all voted for JFK. I’ve been a Libertarian since the party started and voted that way when the option was there. Still, if I could, I’d vote for Joe Manchin, WVA, for almost anything. I’ve even considered sending him a campaign contribution, and I virtually never give money to politicians and really didn’t know who he was until recently. Still, his recent show of integrity and even valor impress me.
How Politics Should Be Played Out
The Senate has specific rules for how business should be conducted, focusing on appropriate and polite conduct as well as congeniality. That may have been the case in the past (though historical records tend to cast some doubt on that), but certainly, things have turned more “uncordial” and hostile in the past year.
One reason that we have so many people who have to agree on legislation is to ensure compromise and a spirit of working together. There shouldn’t be winners or losers in most cases, as Senators and Congressmen should be working first for the country and secondly, for their state. And yet, it is now tribal, with extreme pressure put on Sen. Manchin to stand with his party, even as he believes that Build Back Better is bad for the country AND his state. Here are his own words, from his website:
“I have always said, ‘If I can’t go back home and explain it, I can’t vote for it.’ Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation.
“My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that leaves our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face. I cannot take that risk with a staggering debt of more than $29 trillion and inflation taxes that are real and harmful to every hard-working American at the gasoline pumps, grocery stores and utility bills with no end in sight.
“The American people deserve transparency on the true cost of the Build Back Better Act. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office determined the cost is upwards of $4.5 trillion which is more than double what the bill’s ardent supporters have claimed. They continue to camouflage the real cost of the intent behind this bill.”
As I read these words, my respect for the man deepened. This is how most of us believe our politicians should behave. Agree or disagree with his position, but understand that he has thought this through and will not change his mind based on manipulation, bullying or false charges of betraying his party.
For the Future
As we go to the polls next November, it makes sense to consider the character of those who we elect. Ignore the promises made; most of them are promises that won’t be kept. Look at what they’ve actually done and what they stand for when they vote. Check the record; you’ll see many who have been pushed into stances they don’t agree with to trade for something else.
And perhaps we should all look at the lifetime tenure some of our politicians consider their birthright, like Nancy Pelosi. While I argue with those who want term limits, as it might eliminate good people like Joe Manchin from continuing to serve, it would limit the power of some of the long-standing ones to force others to vote their way. A two-term Senator might not have the ability to sway people like Chuck Schumer can.
Perhaps another option is to consider politicians’ jobs as short term by eliminating all benefits after they leave office. No pension, no travel allowance, no continuation of their special, non-Obamacare health policy. And certainly, no Secret Service. Maybe they would think differently about the Second Amendment if they had to go about their business unprotected. The lack of benefits might ensure more frequent turnover, allowing more people to participate and to eliminate the primary goal of getting re-elected, which guides too many of them in their policies and practices.
