Words.
"As I step down from the chairmanship of the nonpartisan Congressional Management Foundation, I’d like to make a plea to the members of Congress whom the foundation exists to serve: that they recapture the trust of the American people.
This is not a call for the parties to play nice with each other. In a two-party system, that is a rare occurrence. There are too many incentives to make your party look good and the other party look very bad. Partisan jockeying that translates into votes and power can be civil, but it will not become less aggressive.
...With the foundation of trust corroded, we risk the public having no faith in Congress’s capacity to represent the people’s interests in the event of a national emergency such as a new financial debacle or major terrorist attack. At that crucial juncture, with their trust in Congress so low, would Americans turn to their representatives and senators to meet their critical needs for physical and economic safety? Alternatives that might seem more expedient from either the executive branch or fringe non-government actors would lead to more authoritarian, centralized government or to political and social disorder. Either would be a tragedy for representative democracy.
...A member can say forcefully what is wrong with a policy, program, political philosophy or an opponent’s position without tarring the institution or the government that gives him or her a platform from which to speak and act. This requires personal commitment and rhetorical discipline. It requires refraining from populist demagoguery about Congress or the government. It requires sustained awareness that as a member of Congress you are a steward of the commons..."
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