Why aren’t GOP proposals discussed?

Why aren’t GOP proposals discussed?

It has been said that politics is the art of compromise. Harry Reid has replaced that saying with his own, “dead on arrival.” Since becoming Senate Majority Leader, he has repeatedly used this phrase to rebuff House of Representative budget proposals. He has wielded his mighty scepter to prevent voting or even allowing debate on these proposals.

Arguably, many of these proposals would be voted down by the Democratic-controlled Senate in their original form. Still, why are not these proposals used as a template for discussion and debate? Perhaps, just perhaps, a vigorous debate on elements of these proposals would yield a compromise bill that would be palatable to both parties but more important, the American people.

The founders of our great republic established a governmental framework that was designed to make lawmaking a difficult process but one that is workable when both sides of the aisle address their differences and compromise their positions for the good of the country. This “dead on arrival” or “my way or the highway” approach to governance is a form of dictatorship, which our founders pledged their lives, their sacred honor and their fortunes to eradicate.

Finally, to the leadership of both houses and President Obama I have a modest request. Lock yourselves in a room and stay there until you have solved our budget problems. I think I speak for the vast majority of Americans when I say we are tired, no, exhausted, to see you repeatedly standing at the microphones casting blame on the opposition and extolling your own virtues as though your position was ordained by God. In short, shut up and do your jobs.

David Carrell

Campton Hills