No budget, no pay: Done, and signed by the president.
Filibuster reform: Minor tweaks and not nearly enough, but progress.
No pledge but the oath of office: More and more members of Congress are repudiating their previous pledges, such as the no-tax-increases pledge they gave to Grover Norquist.
At the same time, bipartisan groups are at work on reforming immigration, budgetary reform, and efforts to reduce gun violence while honoring the second amendment.
All of these tie together with one common link: No Labels.
Derided by partisans on both the left and right ever since they were formed, this group promoting a return to functional government where compromise is not a four-letter word has nevertheless been successfully pushing its agenda forward.
One by one the announcements trickle out that this senator, that congressman, has joined No Labels and is promising to work across the aisle for the good of the country. More and more, members of Congress are feeling emboldened to defy the hyperpartisans in their parties and vote their conscience.
It's still a very small beginning, but change must begin somewhere, at some level, or it never will happen. It takes commitment, and for once there is a group committed to battling back against the hyperpartisanship.
Keep moving, No Labels. Slowly, step by step, but surely, keep moving.
Comments