Bipartisanship is in the House (and Senate)
Nancy Pelosi has been feeling very unapologetic lately. Her and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer do not really seem to mind the backlash they are receiving from liberals for striking a deal with President Trump last week, at least that’s what I took away from her statement in her most recent interview. The most recent agreement between Democrats and the President, pertaining to the debt ceiling and the deadline for spending, has sparked much controversy for not prioritizing a plan that secures those protected by DACA. However, the problem, in my opinion, goes deeper than a few liberals getting upset about DACA not formally being addressed. It is an issue that affects both sides of the aisle, and one that hurts the American people on a larger scale than it does a couple of congressmen’s egos.
Polarization in the political realm has seriously plagued our country for more than a decade now. Democrats or Republicans, liberal or conservative, there is no in-between, the political spectrum has almost faded. Party lines have thickened and across the aisle contact is rare. It was evidently a mistake for Republicans to not cooperate with democrats in the Obama administration. Polarization hurts the American public, and even though it may seem obvious, it obstructs our country’s main democratic values. So why is it that people are complaining that Pelosi and Schumer began to end that trend and decide to try out bi-partisan politics again?
My take on it: Most of this country wants to see Trump out of the White House, and Democrats making deals with him means he isn’t leaving the Oval Office anytime soon.
If we go back in time and take a look at our president’s political history, we will find that he began as a Republican, switched to being an independent, registered as a Democrat, and switched again to being a Republican. It brings up the point that the current president may care a little less about party affiliation than the American public and politicians do. Let’s be clear, I am no fan of the president and believe him to be totally unqualified for the job. However, as his views do not necessarily align with those of the Republican or Democratic party, and he cannot seem to decide whether he is ultra-conservative or barely liberal, this flaw is definitely an advantage for both parties, more so Democrats than Republicans. To be fair, we have already seen glimmers of more bi-partisanship and less opposition.
However, we must also see the importance of Pelosi and Schumer even meeting with Trump at the White House. This entire summer, Republicans, and especially Trump, have tried to pull apart the Affordable Care Act and make it into something better, “Trump Care.” Republicans and the Trump administration alone criticized the ACA heavily, attempted to dismantle it, and once it did not receive enough votes in the White House, President Trump simply believed it would “implode”. Many Democrats could have just given up and decided to let the administration “implode,” but after realizing Trump’s views on immigration were nothing to make fun of after hearing his first statements about DACA, it would seem to be the right choice to begin working with the president for the greater good of the country. It may mean sitting down with someone who goes against the Democrats’ values, but what is democracy about, if not that?
As newer developments of renegotiating DACA and finding ways to protect immigrant children, teens, and young adults come to light, it’s important to think about how this country should grow and progress within these next three years. There will be disagreements between the president, the Republicans, and the Democrats, that is a given, but there is no reason why these disagreements or the absurdity of the president’s actions should hinder the democracy of the country. In the light of everything that has happened since inauguration day, it is important that the interest of the American people stays intact and in focus. Every day we are closer to November 2020, but that means it is another day closer to positive changes in this country. The deal that Pelosi and Schumer made benefitted both Republicans and Democrats. Party lines are a slippery slope and we hope that our representatives and senators will keep the interest of their constituents in mind.
Some Republicans and Democrats may be upset that a compromise has been achieved between President Trump and Representative Pelosi, but making that deal was the democratic and moral decision.
