Lead, leaders, lead

Standoffs are a terrible way to govern.

The reason we have so many people in the legislative branches is to allow diversity of opinion. The more people we have, the more we need to compromise.

So, why is there no compromise in the federal government?

Instead of looking for solutions, we’re all arguing that we must “Save Our Country From Terrorists and if you are opposed to a wall you must Hate America And Should Leave. Or if you build a Wall, You Hate Anyone Who Looks Different Than You.”

Everyone supports border security; no one is advocating for “open borders.” But as soon as someone mentions that, the other side will tell us, “No, you don’t; you want open borders.” Or if we support a wall at the border, the other side will yell, “You are a bigot and are heartless.”

That’s only the latest example. We can only hope that the impasses we see on the federal level don’t creep down to the state or local level.

Minnesota is the only state in the union that has a “divided legislature.” In states with two legislative bodies, the legislatures are controlled by either Republicans or Democrats. Only Minnesota currently has a House controlled by the DFL and a Senate controlled by the Republicans.

Obviously, it’s easier to get more things accomplished if one party controls the government. But don’t be naïve and think everything runs smoothly within each party. There is plenty of negotiating, arguing, discourse, and even fighting before any bill gets passed, even in legislatures controlled by one party. In the end, a compromise is reached within the party. In Minnesota, there will need to be a second level of compromise — between the DFL House and the Republican Senate.

And, if no compromise can be reached, no action will take place. Sometimes that is the best result, anyway. Although it’s frustrating, the wheels of government should move slowly and deliberately. Wild swings in government policy can create chaos, but we need stability. It’s why our nation has thrived so well the past 243 years.

For example, this legislative session, we are certain to address a statewide gas tax. Governor Walz campaigned on a promise to increase the gas tax; he won the election but it’s impossible to tell if that promise was the reason he won. Republicans almost always oppose gas tax increases, and certainly will oppose Governor Walz’s gas tax proposal.

But they won’t shut the government down over it. A compromise will be reached, and we’ll either have a new gas tax or we won’t. Stubborn negotiating tactics have no place in politics. It’s unrefined and juvenile: “They won’t vote for our gas tax, so we won’t vote for their crime bill.” Everyone will get so busy punishing the other side for past actions that nobody will looking out for the citizens. In other words, no one will do their jobs.

Compromise is the key to an effective government. I decided a long time ago that my tax dollars don’t go to prisons, Metro-area transit projects, or abortion providers. Yours might, and that’s fine. My tax dollars go to safety nets, environmental regulation, and infrastructure. We all pay taxes; and we all benefit from self-government.

So, in a divided legislature, which side needs to back down?

I suggest it’s the media that needs to back down. It’s not helpful to frame every issue as “us against them.” Such reporting weakens our democracy. Grandstanding is certainly more entertaining than in-depth reporting, but turning news into entertainment often weakens thoughtful analysis, and pits us against each other. We become immune to the issues, and instead just cheer for our side.

I certainly don’t think that will happen in Minnesota this year. While watching the legislature and the governor each pushing their agendas will be entertaining, and will provide plenty of material for community newspaper columnists and for “Harry’s Gang” on cable TV, Minnesota will not be building any walls, even figuratively.

Pete Radosevich is the publisher of the Pine Knot News community newspaper and an attorney in Esko who hosts the talk show Harry’s Gang on CAT-7. He can be reached at [email protected].