advertisement

Editorial: Roskam's prudent call for consultation

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam wants to talk.

Good for him.

And good for those who listen.

Actually, count Roskam among that number, too, since his call over the weekend was for a rapprochement of sorts among the various factions of the Republican Party whose bitter divisions led House Speaker John Boehner to announce his resignation. The Wheaton Republican quickly recognized that Boehner's resignation is cause for reflection, not rashness.

In terms of politics and policy, it's hard to challenge Roskam's conservative credentials. His positions are not that distinguishable from those of the fewer than three-dozen hard-line Republicans whose "cut-it-or-shut-it" stubbornness led to Boehner's decision. But, unlike the others, Roskam does recognize that his party has much more to lose from brinkmanship showdowns than it has to gain. As does the nation.

So, he sent a letter to fellow House Republicans on Saturday urging a meeting that would chart a way forward for the party leading to progress rather than division. Without such a discussion, he wrote in a letter reported by Daily Herald Political Editor Mike Riopell, "we will find ourselves right back where we are now - stymied by dysfunction and disunity."

While the Daily Herald has long called for more accountability and more responsibility in federal budgeting, we have been equally critical of the "government-by-showdown" that has plagued both federal and Illinois state decision making in recent years. Conservative Republicans, the Tea Party and certainly the broader Republican Party majority are not alone responsible for the gridlock. Democrats entrenched in conventional habits of power politics have played their role, too.

But the effective response, contrary to the contentions of hard-liners in both parties, is not passionate disdain for contrary points of view but determined respect and a willingness to find ways to achieve diverse goals within the context of the political power structures at play at any given time. Failing that, we are in for a renewed period of rancor and divisiveness that will be detrimental - indeed potentially devastating - not just for the Republican Party but for the entire state of our national discourse

The effective response is to talk and to listen. The meeting Roskam proposed, and that may be held as early as today, is a step in that direction.

"This is about understanding the importance of this historic moment ... and making sure we empower our conference and leaders to fix the mistakes that got us here," Roskam said in a statement.

There is of course no guarantee that a simple meeting will produce a unified Republican Party better able to contend with Democrats on difficult issues. But without it, the prospects are unpleasant in the extreme to contemplate.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.