Among my three brothers, three sisters, and myself, there isn’t a one that agrees 100%. Not even with my father. The other day, I was sitting down with one of my sisters at a family gathering. She was lamenting the state of affairs in Washington DC. Here was a government employee, conducting several government programs, who was upset with the way Obamacare has been fumbled for the past three years.
The “money” quote: “And I’m a Democrat!”
Over the years, I have learned that if you want to make something work when people you disagree with are standing in the way, you need to involve them. Convince them. Discuss the issues with them. And if you still disagree, then be agreeable about it. My sister has read my columns from the very first one. She has told me that she disagrees most often, but she likes to read what I have to say (that makes a total of six readers, now).
So I asked her: “If you and I can discuss the broader issues of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, why can’t they?”
Let’s play this out.
John Boehner and Harry Reid decide to sit down and order steaks. This scenario in itself would be a miracle, since I am under the impression that neither can stand the sight of the other. And that, my friends, is the problem. They have taken the political and made it personal. And this isn’t limited to the two opposing leaders in Congress.
Look at the White House. The President and his minions will say to the press pool that they are willing to “have a dialog” about this issue or that, but when he flies off to a college or fundraiser, the President hisses and spits and makes it personal. Remember when he accused Paul Ryan of being vicious with the poor and elderly? With Paul Ryan in the front row?!
There’s no need for that. Quit telling your constituents that your opponent is an inhuman monster who is bent on our destruction.
But back to the steak dinner.
There are a few easy tips and tricks that each of them can use to restore confidence in Capitol Hill. I am going to list them, free of charge.
- Stop making politics personal. Pledge to each other that from this moment forward there will only be disagreement on the issues. No more outlandish accusations. No more commercials with lookalikes tossing Grandma off a cliff.
- State your case on the issue at hand. Then (wait for it…) shut up and listen to your opponent. Actually listen. You might learn something. Notice I didn’t call him the enemy. He is the opposition.
- Be ready to back up your message with facts and solid information, not rhetoric and platitudes.
- Consider whether the issue is better suited for the private sector or the states to work out.
- Start using the legislative process the way it was designed. If one chamber sends a bill to another, then take the bill up and either pass it or vote it down. Refusing to even bring a bill to the floor for debate and vote is childish. Leave the schoolyard taunts alone. You’re supposed to be the adults.
- Finally, and this is most important, pass a budget. In fact, before the Caesar Salads are even brought to the table, Reid and Boehner should agree that no legislation is worked on or voted on until a budget (a real budget) is passed for this year – and next.
There, that wasn’t too hard, now was it? You could ignore this advice if you want. But the American people are waiting for members of Congress and the President to act their age. These simple steps can at least stop the hemorrhaging until Congress is properly reformed. I’ll write about that later.
If everyday Americans can agree to disagree, why can’t they?
Andy Hefty 
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