Bill Clinton coined a new phrase a few weeks ago that resonated with me.
“You’re all here because, in one way or another, you intuitively know this. You believe that multiplication is a superior strategy to division. You believe that addition is the superior strategy to subtraction in economics, social inclusion and politics. You believe that there are severe limits on the ability of rising separatist tribalism to solve the problems that [threaten] the opportunities of the modern world.”
Politics used to be about compromise, about balancing interests and solving problems. Partisan animosity flared up occasionally, but now it’s the new norm.
Congressional dysfunction is especially destructive today. Extreme polarization between parties makes governing in our constitutional system tough for the majority. I don’t see the U.S. adopting a parliamentary system anytime soon. But there are a few possible reforms that would make government more effective.
I see four main problem areas that need to be addressed.
- The modern media
- Money in politics
- Structural issues in the Senate
- Extreme partisanship and polarization
And there are three main areas where I think we could make substantial progress.
- Fixing our party system
- Reforms in Congress
- Changing our political culture
