It’s time to quell excessive partisanship in politics
read more recent story comments Reader comments| ronschoolcraft Tuesday, July 17, 2012: 1:02 pm More from ronschoolcraft  | Mr. Hamilton, As I recall, you were quite the partisan Democrat when in Congress. Compromise, to you and your liberal friends, is doing things your way. I, for one, am glad to see partisanship as problem finally. It means that we finally have some principled conservatives in the Republican party standing up for our liberties and unwilling to "play the beltway game". The political class sees their power being eroded by grass roots activist groups like the Tea Party. That is why there is such a cacophony lamenting the partisan divide and the lack of compromise. We've compromised with the left for far too long. It's time for them to compromise with us. |
| nobodyimportant Tuesday, July 17, 2012: 5:21 pm More from nobodyimportant | Ron, I don't think your characterization of Rep. Hamilton is correct. My recollection is that he was among the least partisan of not only Indiana congressmen, but all of them. I believe that even during one of the Bush admninistrations, he was given a leadership role in some kind of commission or study. |
| ronschoolcraft Tuesday, July 17, 2012: 7:36 pm More from ronschoolcraft | Prove me wrong... |
| nobodyimportant Tuesday, July 17, 2012: 10:19 pm More from nobodyimportant | Proving something like an opinion of bi-partisanship is difficult. We may use different measuring sticks, even if we both tried to be objective and not let our political leanings get in the way of being fair. I am working from recall, and I think that's the word you also used in your post. I was working in state government in Bob Orr's administration when I first came into contact with Lee Hamilton. I was in several meetings with him and I found him to be a quiet, reflective thinker. He didn't spout party lines. That's all I remember on a personal level. Perhaps you have had other experiences. I did google "Lee Hamilton's Legacy" and found a confirming opinion. Dianna Rehm said in 2010, "After 34 years in Congress as a Democratic from Indiana and 12 more as the head of the Wilson Center in Washington, Lee Hamilton is going home. His retirement is, many say, Washington's loss. He’s one of what seem to be a shrinking number of people in public life who know how to bridge the partisan divide to solve to complex problems. Congressman Lee Hamilton, former Chair House Foreign Relations Committee, Vice Chair of the 9/11 Commission talks about what's wrong with Washington and how we can fix it." I also looked up his voting record and he voted with the democratic party 82% of votes. In this day and age, to me that's pretty impressive. I just don't think he merits the partisan lable. You have different information? |
| ronschoolcraft Tuesday, July 17, 2012: 10:55 pm More from ronschoolcraft | I suppose it depends on who defines the phrase "bridging the partisan divide". From everything I've experienced in my 47 years, that means Republicans cave and go along with Democrats. That's what the media applauds and that's precisely why the country is in the mess it's in now. |
| Danny Stewart Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 4:16 am More from Danny Stewart | He voted with the democratic party 82% of the time? Seems like he's pretty partisan to me. Perhaps if his voting record was closer to 50/50 then you could probably say he was non partisan. |
| nobodyimportant Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 8:10 am More from nobodyimportant | Danny, just look up voting records of any modern day congressman or woman. I don't believe you will find, even among independents, anything near to 50-50. There are enormous party pressues. They have to do with not only political idealogies, but such things as risking the loss of support at election time from the RNC or DNC, political contributors who have "causes", and the folks at home who voted you in office. Non-partisanship is also about more than votes. It is about working on the fine details in crafting legislation. I challenge you to provide evidence Ron that Mr. Hamilton deserves your criticism of non-partisanship. You threw the gauntlet to me and I picked it up. Now it is your turn. |
| jimenicholls2 Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 3:05 pm More from jimenicholls2 | A 50/50 voting record is not a positive thing. It is proof that someone doesn't have a backbone. I am looking for the guy/gal that votes 100% for constitutionalist/biblical principles. Period! |
| Danny Stewart Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 3:18 pm More from Danny Stewart | That's the problem around here these days Jim. Most people in this town have become liberal, even though they try to pass themselves off as conservatives, and they only want people that are middle of the road. They don't want someone with a back bone. They want mr. nice guy that will bend to every whim and force more government on us. |
| Danny Stewart Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 3:21 pm More from Danny Stewart | However, since this town has a very small voting population, the liberals are in charge. |
| Danny Stewart Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 4:23 pm More from Danny Stewart | Nobody, that is why there is no such thing as being non partisan. There voting record means everything. It either shows they have conviction or they don't. |
| booger Wednesday, July 18, 2012: 5:42 pm More from booger | I'm almost dizzy from the ignorance being posted on here. Liberals? Are you serious? Seriously? Morgan County? It's official: The water is tainted. Only nice explanation I can offer. |
| 58 comments found | |
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