Ex-congressmen urge end to partisanship

[Judi Lynn]

Source: UPI

Ex-congressmen urge end to partisanship
Published: Oct. 4, 2010 at 9:43 AM

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Former congressional members, in a letter, told current congressional candidates of both parties to stop the sniping and start on solving problems.

The 130-plus former members wrote that Congress now "appears gripped by zero-sum game partisanship," in which the goal seems to be more to "devastate the other side ... than to find common ground to solve problems," Politico reported Monday.

In the letter to all congressional candidates in both parties, the letter said it was time to stop "this sorry state of affairs" and start to "focus on problem solving." The signatories urged current members to show "decency and respect toward opponents," engage in an honest, good-faith debate and end personal attacks.

The letter was organized by the group Former Members of Congress for Common Ground, led by former Reps. John Porter, R-Ill., and David Skaggs, D-Colo., who both served on the House Appropriations Committee, were known for bipartisanship, and now are active professionally on Capitol Hill. The missive resulted from more than three months of discussions among the former members who signed the letter, Politico said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/04/Ex-congressmen-urge-end-to-partisanship/UPI-36301286199798/

[PSPS]

1. Politico

[Hawkeye-X]

2. + UPI = Moonie Owned

so the article is questionable.

[Judi Lynn]

5. I posted it because I'm familiar with Rep. David Skagg's career, and know he's honorable,

and courageous enough to attempt to take on the radical reactionary Cuban "exile" extremist lobby in Florida when he attempted to get their US tax-payer financed, Cuban right-wing "exile" controlled, staffed, programmed TV Marti, part of the dual media propaganda-blasting Radio/TV Marti, costing US taxpayers $30,000,000.00 per year off the books, and off our backs.

He was confronted and told by _Bush ally, Republic Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart that he personally would lose every Colorado project he held dear for trying to get TV Marti removed from the US Federal Budget. Diaz-Balart got funding from the Cuban American National Foundation in Florida to buy advertising in David Skaggs' states newspapers, blaring the story that David Skaggs had lost important Colorado issues, and David Skaggs' career was destroyed instantly.

That situation can be studied through various links. It's pathetic.

When I see former David Skaggs' name in a story, I'm going to post it. I respect the man.

[elleng]

7. Good for you.

We could use more 'thoughtiness' here, imo.

:thumbsup:

[Demoiselle]

8. I respect your respect for David Skaggs...but...

I am sick to death of the bogus notion that "partisanship" is the root of all our evils. There is only one lock-step, blinders on "partisan" side in this country...and it's the rabid Right Wing. We Dems keep trying to reason, to explain, to find "common ground." The Right ain't havin' any. I wish Dems would get a little MORE partisan!

[Hawkeye-X]

9. Skaggs was a good rep in Colorado

Not my rep, during Skaggs' tenure, Pat Schroeder was my rep. Who could have asked for anything better.

Diana DeGette is my rep, and I'm a bit nervous because I'm seeing Dr. Quack signs. (Dr. Fallon is the R challenger)

[karynnj]

13. Wow - that does take integrity and courage

[quakerboy]

3. Shouldnt that read: Lobbiests urge end to partisanship?

I'm just guessing here, but that seems to be the general way things work.

In the mean time, its true. The republicans should stop being so partisan. Dems have been ready and willing and trying to work across the isle, but have been stonewalled.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. "...professionally active..."

I noticed that too. Congress needs to get off its ass so that these lobbiests can get keep their meal train going. :eyes:

[quakerboy]

16. To be honest, I didnt even get that far

All I read was "Ex-congressmen" and natural cynicism filled in any blanks rather naturally. Its, um, nice to be proven correct? Perhaps "validating" would be a better choice, given I would rather have been wrong.

[valerief]

10. +1

[catzies]

15. Nailed it! If you're "working on the Hill," and are not a congressperson or staffer

what else can you be? What other jobs are there? :shrug:

[elleng]

6. Looks like DUers according to posts here would fit in Congress as it is today just fine.

:-(

[L0oniX]

11. Congress = Jerry Springer show n/t

[avaistheone1]

12. Yes, but

Congress is better dressed. That's how you can tell the difference.

[Zenlitened]

14. As if. I would love to see Democrats attempt to "devastate the other side" now and then.

The 130-plus former members wrote that Congress now "appears gripped by zero-sum game partisanship," in which the goal seems to be more to "devastate the other side ... than to find common ground to solve problems,"

This is more of that tired old false framing, IMO, that claims "both sides" are equally to blame for today's dysfunction in Washington.

It's the same false framing that, by constructing this illusion of mutual partisanship, goes on to exalt and extol "bipartisanship," an equally phony notion.

If it's nonpartisanship these folks are after, they should say so.

If it's more of the same idiocy resulting from the insanity of one side and the meek acquiescence of the other... well, then this is a great letter. :eyes: