The Real Problem With Government/Politics

I recently wrote a post about what a great man and American former U.S. House Speaker Sam Rayburn was and how things just worked better in government/politics when he was in office. I submit to my fellow citizens--that our real problem in government and politics today--is not whether or not the liberals or conservatives are doing this or that--THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE LOST CIVILITY IN PUBLIC LIFE!!!

Thirty or forty years ago, Republican and Democratic Leaders on the House or Senate floor--would tear each other apart and battle most fiercely! And while there was fire and passion and conviction in the give and take of debate--at the end of the day--many of those officials would go have a drink or play a game of cards and would often work through their differences and something got done! For years, many congregessional leaders of both parties would fight like cats and dogs--but many were still personal friends and very devoted to one another. Tip O'neil loved Gerry Ford deeply. Sam Rayburn and Joe Martin were good friends. Orrin Hatch and Ted Kennedy were close friends. I love how the late Jack Valenti would describe the evening conversations between former Senate Republican Leader Everett Dirksen and President Johnson at the White House. Here are Valenti's words:

The Best of Enemies
By JACK VALENTI
Washington
IN Washington, the cords of collegiality that used to bind the members of Congress to one another - and to the president - haven't just frayed, they've snapped. This descent into enmity is not just one party's fault. There is blame to distribute among all.
As Congress struggles through a particularly rancorous session, it is worth recalling a time when compromise had not been exiled from our government. I had the good fortune to see this firsthand when I worked for President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Though historians have painted President Johnson as someone who would do just about anything to get his way, nothing could be further from the truth. His years in the Senate taught him that good government is built on listening to the other side.
In 1964, the president deputized me to handle relations with the Republican leadership. It was my job to keep the Oval Office open for Gerald Ford and Charles Halleck, then the House Republican leaders, and Everett Dirksen, leader of the Senate Republicans. Even though L.B.J. had large majorities in both houses of Congress after the 1964 election, he never turned his back on those across the aisle.
A typical encounter with Dirksen would go something like this: The senator would call me, his majestic barrel-baritone voice rising from some vasty deep. "Jack, I'd like to see the boss today," he would say.
"Of course, Senator. How about coming by around six? O.K. with you?"
After our conversation, Dirksen would rise in the Senate to flog the president and his policies, treating Nero and Caligula favorably in comparison to Johnson.
Later, when Dirksen arrived at the White House, I'd escort him to the family quarters on the second floor. We would gather in the West Hall, cheek by jowl with the family dining room. On the wall, a Mary Cassatt and a Childe Hassam surrendered their charms to visitors.
Johnson would be waiting. He'd greet Dirksen warmly and lead him to a green chintz sofa in front of a large window with an ample view of the Rose Garden. The president would drop himself into a large wingback chair next to the couch - he'd be so close that their knees would almost touch. I would sit next to Dirksen, whose rumpled suit and vagrant strands of wispy hair masked a razor-edged wit.
L.B.J., in one of his periodic fits of dieting, would order a Fresca from the kitchen. Dirksen, who had clearly hoped for something stronger, would hide a frown and, to be courteous, order one too.
The president, with the skill of an actor, would begin: "Ev, I wouldn't treat a cut dog the way you treated me on the floor today."
Dirksen, with a mock somber expression, would answer, "Mr. President, I have a vow to be faithful to the truth, so I had no choice in what I said."
L.B.J. would laugh. Touché. Dirksen, pleased with his retort, would rumble up a laugh as well. They would trade stories and gossip.
Then the president would say something like: "Ev, I need three Republican votes on my civil rights bill, and you can get them."
Dirksen would frown. Without answering, he would reach into his jacket and pull out a list of nominees to just about every operational regulatory commission in Washington. He would also suggest that the president relax his opposition to a bill the Republicans found congenial to their aims.
They would ramble on, reminiscing and teasing each other. When the Frescas were finished, Dirksen would depart. There would be no summary of what they had said. Their relationship was built on something that is sorely missing today: trust. Both men knew that plenty of quarrels would be played out on the Senate floor and on the campaign trail. But they also knew that once a commitment had been made, it would be kept. If they disagreed, they would keep talking. Every once in a while, L.B.J. would even test out a possible appointee on Dirksen.
They were like two old medieval warriors who had fought a hundred battles against each other. But when night fell, they would sit around a campfire, on neutral ground, and talk.
L.B.J. understood that the role of the opposition was to oppose. Dirksen (and Ford and Halleck) knew that opposing didn't mean you couldn't give a little here and there. Neither surrendered core beliefs. But they both knew that in politics, nothing lasts for long. Mandates fade. Power passes. And majority, as sure as the seasons change, eventually becomes minority. (From The Wisconsin Museum of Broadcasting http://www.620wtmj.com/shows/genemueller/45329672.html

Today, so many of the congressional leaders barely even know each other. There is too much anger, hate, and rancor among not just Democrats and Republicans--but often within the individual party ranks! Very few elected officials take the time to really get to know each other. And how could they--they are all too busy working on getting reelected--(which is a conversation for another time.)

I watched the President recently go to a House Republican gathering to answer questions and give his input on the health care legislation. Most of the GOP congressman were very respectful--but a handful were just downright rude and hateful. That just makes me sad. And I certainly am not just putting such attitudes on the Republicans--for surely it happens on both sides.

We have got to find a way to stand up for our convictions and beliefs--and still not hate one another and learn to better understand where each other is coming from and really listen to one another. Whatever happened to the old adage--that "Partisanship ends at the water's edge." What happend to the unity we saw right after 9/11 when we saw members of Congress on the front steps of the Capital singing God Bless American, or Tom Daschle hugging President Bush right after the president had just addressed Congress a few days after that tragedy? We are still under very difficult stress as a nation--and there is simply no greater opportunity for all of us to work together and get something useful done for the people!

HOPE

Two bits of hope come to my mind from recent events. Recently I watched a very good man, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee interviewing Bill Maher (Mr. Liberal Himself) on Fox News. I watched Governor Huckabee--who I know believes almost nothing Maher believes--be extremely kind and respectful to Maher--who was espousing so much of what I know Huckabee to be totally against!

Then just last week--Senator Tom Coburn (R-Ok) was at a conservative event in his state talking about various issues before Congress. At one point someone was vilifying Speaker Pelosi. Coburn--who is very conservative--immediately defended the speaker--saying that while he and the Speaker are far apart on the issues--that she is a "nice lady." And he went on to criticize the harsh way many politicians are villified simply because they don't vote the way some might want them to vote.

Good for Huckabee and Coburn!

We need to stop shouting, and start really talking and listening to each other. We need to find where we can agree and do something good for the American people! Lets show some kindness and love to one another!

Lets have a conversation.