The art of compromise, alas, seems to be a dying art. In fact, it may be dead, period. At least politically.
We’ve come to expect disgusting, never-ending deadlock in the U.S. Congress, where virtually nothing major has been accomplished in the past seven or eight years. Of course, many who do not pay attention other than to do anti-Obama slandering on Internet screeds will blame Obama for the deadlock. It’s all his fault because he wouldn’t compromise with Congress. Sure, and the moon really is made of cheese. It was the Tea Party radicals who refused to compromise.
Here in Minnesota, normally a state of progressive enlightenment in so many respects, we don’t expect our elected senators and congress people to be so intransigent and bullheaded as Tea Party do-nothings like Rep. Ted Cruz and the former (thank God, former) Rep. Michele Bachmann.
In previous years, we Minnesotans could usually review happily or unhappily depending on one’s viewpoint, what the Minnesota Legislature accomplished in one of its sessions.
After this past session, we can review what the legislature did not accomplish.
First and foremost, it did not pass a comprehensive plan to fund infrastructure work for the next 10 years – roads, bridges and mass transit.
The legislature did not approve a short-term funding bill. In the process, it shot down a billion-dollar infrastructure bill that had previously been supported by both sides of the political aisle.
The legislature did not act on a “Real ID” law.
To its credit, the legislature did manage to pass a few good things, like a tax break to help families save for college, more spending for early-childhood education and broadband expansion for rural Minnesota.
All three sides (the Democrat-controlled Senate, the Republican-controlled House and Gov. Mark Dayton) are all pointing fingers – at one another. Granted, crafting legislation is very difficult, but there are no excuses in this case, especially for not approving the long-term transportation infrastructure plan so vital for this state’s successful future. The failure of that bill was caused by a stubborn inability to compromise, and there’s lots of blame to go around.
When you talk to your legislators in the coming weeks, ask them point blank to explain why the legislative session was such a fiasco. Before they even open their mouths, rush to admonish with: “Don’t give me any finger-pointing excuses!”
