Posted on 01/07/2005 11:38:11 AM PST by NormsRevenge
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota legislators, plagued by enough drama and disagreement for a season's worth of plot lines on a reality TV series, decided they needed group therapy. About 75 senators and representatives voluntarily attended a workshop, "Beyond Bickering and Gridlock," that hoped to answer a question that plagues state lawmakers across the country and members of Congress alike: "Can't we all just get along?"
It's an important question as the 2005 session gets under way. Last year's session, which crashed and burned after a partisan stalemate, produced few accomplishments but plenty of raw feelings and grudges.
That lack of results is seen as a major factor in Democrats picking up 13 House seats formerly held by Republicans. Since then, lawmakers have been giving major lip service to the need for bipartisanship.
"Compromise is not a four-letter word," said Sen. Sheila Kiscaden, the Legislature's only Independence Party member and the workshop's originator. "All the good ideas don't come from Democrats, and all the good ideas don't come from Republicans. The best ideas come from talking to each other."
Minnesota lawmakers aren't alone in their angst. Political veterans from both major parties and from Congress on down have complained for several years that legislative bodies have lost any sense of collegiality, collaboration or consensus across party lines.
It's likely aggravated by the razor-thin balance of power between Democrats and Republicans nationwide. Minnesota's legislature has 101 Democrats and 99 Republicans; nationwide, there are 3,660 Democratic state legislators and 3,656 Republican state legislators.
"We see that around the country — the more the parties are competitive with one another, the more likely one is going to see this lack of civility break out," said David Schultz, a political science professor at Hamline University in St. Paul.
Officials from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which helped with the workshop, said similar exercises are becoming popular in other states as well.
"Every legislature's issues are a little different," said Bruce Feustel, a senior fellow at NCSL. "We're not saying abandon your partisan beliefs. Be very clear about what you want from the beginning — but accomplishing that requires you to work with others who want different things."
Scorched-earth partisanship is particularly noticeable in Minnesota, with its long tradition of good government and moderation. Thursday's workshop at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey Center was attended by members from both parties and both houses, veteran legislators and freshmen alike.
"Sometimes I just want to take everybody together into one room, lock the door, and say, 'We're gonna talk now, we're going to get this settled once and for all,'" said Sen. Claire Robling, a Republican. "But I don't have that power."
When workshop attendees shared their feelings, they did find common ground — mainly when they talked about what's causing the lack of civility. Among the culprits mentioned were the media, interest groups, legislative leaders, committee chairmen, a campaign season that never seems to end, and strict ethics rules that some lawmakers said inhibits them from socializing with each other.
Robling said many legislators have had their hands tied in recent years by promises they've made to activists in order to get party support.
Some lawmakers were willing to look inward, as well.
"We tend to be like sheep," said Sen. Steve Dille, also a Republican, and he should know: He's a sheep farmer. "If one sheep jumps through the fence, all the others have to, too. If all the members of your caucus vote one way, you have to, too."
Workshop leaders talked about the importance of "de-escalating conflict," of not letting communication stop and personal attacks start. "When you respect each other enough to listen, that's when compromise comes," said Chris Carlson, a consultant in public policy dispute resolution.
One legislator, Phyllis Kahn of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, said she agreed with much of what was said — to a point.
"There is a value in conflict," Kahn said. "It sharpens decisions and makes bills better. I get a little nervous when I hear about ending conflict. Nothing would make this place more boring than that."
`8-{|>
Go Redskins!
Some lawmakers were willing to look inward, as well.
"We tend to be like sheep," said Sen. Steve Dille, also a Republican, and he should know: He's a sheep farmer. "If one sheep jumps through the fence, all the others have to, too. If all the members of your caucus vote one way, you have to, too."
Lets all get together, hold hands and lift the taxpayers' wallets.
May be these get together's would be safer for the rank and file Americans if our government used this method to take up their time in Washington instead of trying to control everything we free Americans do. Remember the best governments-govern least.
Of course the Democrats being all thieves, liars and traitors may have something to do with it.
One cannot compromise with evil - the ring has to be cast into the fires of Mount Doom. ;)
Regards, Ivan
Yup! Next year. ;-)
They had a rough go of it this year. If anyone can, Joe will get it going. Miss him at the race track tho too.
It's nice to have options tho. ;-)
No one is picking the Vikes to win. I like them odds.
State Sen. Chuck Wiger, left, Rep. Jerry Dempsey, center, and House Majority Leader Erik Paulsen, right, enjoy a laugh during a conference of state legislators Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005, in Minneapolis where Democrat and Republican lawmakers gathered for a workshop to discuss ways to avoid conflict and how to deal with tough issues. Paulsen and Dempsey are Republicans and Wiger is a Democrat. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Go Packers!
And the teacher is none other than Jesse Ventura. Hehehehe!
That is true.
Although a number of legislators come from the reanks of party activists, many are not so ideologically driven as the typical party activist is.
I've attended many a GOP endorsing convention in Minnesota where the winning candidate usually has to sign a blood oath (I'm exagerrating...somewhat)to get official GOP endorsement.
This does not always lead to the most qualified or electable candidate winning party endorsement.
I was hoping for sub-zero weather for the game Sunday but it looks like it will close to 30 degrees. ;-)
That would invoke the "FRozen tundra of Lambeau Field" memory ... :)
You don't compromise with socialists. You defeat them.
(And with Packers ahead 35-0 with 5 minutes to go in the 1st quarter, Randy Moss is walking off the field.)
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