Ryan's Rubicon and the option to govern

Speaker Ryan is very fortunate to have confronted "Boehner's Conundrum" so early on. Throughout most of his time as House leader, Boehner remained the "speaker of the Republican Members of the U.S. House." He refused to advance legislation that did not have the vast majority, some would say near unanimity, of his party in support.

This meant that around 30 ultra-right Republicans could hold hostage a once-great deliberative body with 435 members. Little if any substantive legislation was passed under his leadership.

At almost any point in his six-year tenure, Rep. Boehner could have done what all great Speakers of the House have done - reach across the aisle to pass the best bipartisan legislation possible at that time.

This setback in passing the American Health Care Act may afford Rep. Ryan the opportunity to move beyond Boehner's role as a mediocre patron saint of political gridlock to become truly The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ryan has a clear choice early enough in his tenure to make a real difference in future American politics.

He can remain in a self-inflicted prison, unable to broker a deal across the political spectrum of his party that ranges from Tea Party Absolutist to Moderate Establishment Republicans. Or he can use this opportunity to help move the machinations of American governance back to getting the people's business done through bipartisan action, as has been the case with all great speakers.

All Ryan needs to do is reach across the aisle to House Democrats to start the process of "repairing, not replacing" the Affordable Care Act. Such a courageous act will be a giant step forward in righting our badly listing ship of state.

Which side of the Rubicon will Ryan choose?

Lynn Jensen

Arlington Heights