Please note: The following article is an excerpt from a report by the same name completed by Russell Ruggiero and Matthew Harang. That report is available on ThePolicyTree.com: http://thepolicytree.com/Lets_Work_Together_January_2012.pdf
Bipartisanship
Today, the word “bipartisanship” is thrown about in a majority of press covering the Republican controlled House or the Democratic-ruled Senate. The word “Bipartisanship” really means both parties working together; and regarding Congress, it should mean working together to improve America through responsible legislation that addresses pressing needs (e.g., unemployment, federal deficit, etc.). The word “Should” must not be confused with the word “Why” in this case. Democrats and Republicans must follow the same path pertaining to the latter. Why? Because they share the same goal, which is that they both “want” to make America a better place to live and work. Hence, the mindset in Washington has to change from “having” to do the job to “wanting” to do the job. Only then can meaningful changes take place regarding domestic and international policy issues.
Surely we cannot all have the same viewpoints, but we should be able to find more common ground on issues such as job creation and improvement of the education system. It would be hard to find many people who truly believe that we do not need to create more jobs, and keep on par with schooling around the world, (especially in math and science); however, there seems to be very little agreement across party lines on these key issues. We need to focus on the real reasons behind unnecessary disagreements and work to combat them. The past few years have been very tough, and as we move further into 2012, there must be some drastic changes in our attitudes, if we are to progress any further.
The Current Mood of America
Grunge looks notwithstanding, Occupy Wall Street (OWS) has a message that is simple and clear. They are dissatisfied with Congress and Big Business. With an unemployment rate that averaged around 9% for 2011, with between 13 between 15 million Americans unemployed, OWS is the lexicon for many people who are out of unemployment benefits, job prospects, and at their wits end. Thousands have been arrested and many headlines have hit the press, but the bottom line is that many Americans are very unhappy with the current state of affairs. It is easy to critique OWS for the lack anything that resembles a coherent business plan or the like, but they do a fair job in articulating the mood of the nation. Not in a way pertaining specifically to Democrats or Republicans, but to the nation as a whole. The recession has hit everyone very hard, regardless of party affiliation. Many middle class Republicans and Democrats have joined the ranks of the poor and unemployed. There is genuine concern for permanent job loss to the economy. The OWS group’s basis for existence seems to be predicated on their dissatisfaction with the leaders of the public and private sectors. Regarding their effort, freedom of speech is a constitutional right, but violence and, or breaking the law is not. In a nutshell, millions of Americans across the country want change because of recent actions, and in-actions of the members of both Congress and the private sector.
Public Sector Behavior
To gain a better overall understanding of the current pulse of the country, an important question must be addressed: How is Congress’s behavior affecting the overall mood of the nation? There are two possible motives regarding behavior during the debt ceiling discussions. First, laying the groundwork for responsible spending habits over the near-term and long-term, so America has a better foundation upon which to build. Second, make each and every action predicated on winning the White House in 2012.
In reality, both motives are being followed, and we as Americans can only hope that more emphasis is put on the first than the second by our current crop of elected officials. There is nothing wrong with the House & Senate hashing out valid ideas and concepts. Let us hope, however, that our elected officials put the needs of America’s economic stability first and political aspirations second. Regarding the current political landscape, the recent legislation relating to the payroll tax cut and unemployment extension further exemplified a Congress that seems to be more combative than cooperative, which gives the press and groups like OWS more to latch on to.
Bipartisanship History Lessons
Our call for the leaders of our country to band together for common goals is surely not unprecedented. America has faced numerous crises and dynamic changes including World Wars, economic collapses, civil rights movements, population shifts and influxes of immigration. Each of these historical events caused lawmakers to put aside their differences to ensure that the country continued to prosper.
Democratic President Harry S. Truman, whose administration held the nation together during the aftermath of World War II, built a strong bi-partisan relationship with Republican Senator Arthur Vandenberg. Together they helped to pass policies that ultimately led to the formation of the Marshall Plan and NATO, benefiting not only the U.S., but many nations.
It would be an outright lie to suggest that partisanship has not ruled our two-party system for most of its history. If we all had the same view points and could work easily with one another, there would be no need for political distinctions. The two-party system has serves our nation well. But the efforts of both parties working hand in hand to resolve this complex problem are essential.
In the past, policies such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the No Child Left Behind Act were supported by Congress members of both parties at very high rates. In both instances, politicians helped the nation to realize a common goal. And, in the case of the No Child Left Behind Act, members of both parties actively collaborated to formulate the policy. The bill was drawn up by two Representatives: John Boehner (R-OH) and George Miller (D-CA), and two Senators: Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Judd Gregg (R-NH). The four were able to work together to create legislation that was supported by both parties. Why can’t we find a way to do this more often?
Possible Areas of Bipartisan Efforts
America has currently between 13-15 million unemployed, so it will come as no surprise that job creation is priority one on Washington’s wish list. In reality, a Workers Progress Administration/Workers Projects Administration (WPA) - type of program could be used to hire millions of Americans to help rebuild our airports, bridges, tunnels, and roadways. However, efforts like the Golden Gate Bridge and Hoover Dam are just “Pie in the Sky” at the moment because of too much debt at the Federal, state, and local levels. However, a new Federal program, which entices the private sector to invest via tax credits, and or other incentives, could help to create jobs, while simultaneously help rebuild depressed areas of the country.
For example, large-scale community rehabilitation projects could help spur job growth and help to lower overall the national unemployment rate. It is therefore logical to assume that if a person is legally and gainfully employed, then they can contribute to the local economy, which ultimately contributes to national economy. Hence, a primary focus for Washington should be on how to create well paying jobs that will help to establish long-term stability of the nation. Places like South Los Angeles and Flint, Michigan are in dire need of rehabilitation. This means Washington is in a position to not only create jobs, but to improve the lives of people and the overall health of depressed areas.
How do we get businesses to invest into a depressed area on a massive scale? It is simple to say, but much harder to follow-through. You can either entice businesses via tax-credits, and or related tax perks. This can only happen by close cooperation between the public and private sectors in slow manageable steps, which is part of a bigger long-term plan. It must make sense from a profit and loss point of view, as well as a humanitarian point of view. Both are interrelated and not mutually exclusive. For these reasons, Democrats & Republicans in Washington will have to craft new laws, with corporate incentives, making it compelling for the private sector to invest into the program.
With 2 trillion in cash, corporations hold the cards. Accordingly, if Washington wants to lure business on a large-scale into depressed areas like South Los Angeles or Flint, then they will have to make some very innovative and important changes to the current tax laws. State and local authorities will also want to be part of the process to help their constituents. This type of far-reaching and large-scale effort will no doubt require members of the House and Senate to work closely together, but the results could help in creating jobs, while helping to rejuvenate depressed areas. It could also set a precedent and foundation for the rebuilding of America in 21st Century.
The Future of Bipartisanship
In the future, we must go beyond what we have accomplished in the past. We should look back and see only a glimmer of the things we are proud of today. As much as we have progressed in civil rights over the past century, we should be progressing in other areas as well. The fact is that America has never faced a tougher time. The potential loss of power and influence in the world is a real possibility. Because of our overspending in both the public and private sectors, things may get worse before they become better. Thus, now more than ever we need our leaders to put their heads together, and work harder than even our most effective congress members of the past. It is time for individuals in all government entities at the Federal, state and local levels to understand their call to public service: to work together regardless of political beliefs, or other relatively petty differences, for the betterment of our society. We must focus our attention on why bipartisan efforts are not an everyday reality, and work to make them such.
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