NORTH CARROLLTON — Whether it is a local board, the Mississippi Legislature or Congress, work done through bipartisanship makes for a better government. It’s a shame that in today’s atmosphere bipartisanship has been made out to be an ugly word.
Recently in Tupelo, Republican former U.S. Sen. Trent Lott discussed the lack of bipartisanship. He was there promoting a new book he co-authored with former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, “Crisis Point: Why We Must — How We Can — Overcome Our Broken Politics in Washington and Across America.”
These two former senators are fine examples of bipartisanship. They point out in their book “mutual respect” and compromise can lead to better legislation. Lott and Daschle were both leaders of their respective parties in the 1990s and at the turn of the 21st century.
Bipartisanship is not outdated; it’s effective from the local government to the nation’s capital.
As a Democrat, there were many times I called on Senator Lott’s office when I was mayor of North Carrollton, whether it was assistance for funding or constituent services. Never once was I questioned about my party affiliation. It didn’t matter, and I never questioned the senator’s. What mattered was the issue at hand.
Lott and Daschle demonstrated bipartisanship as party leaders from two different sides of the aisle while working with Democratic President Bill Clinton and the GOP in Congress to help accomplish good legislation. Their efforts in the late Nineties resulted in balanced budgets and surpluses.
Bipartisanship can be effective through talking to each other and most of all listening. However, it is a shame this kind of governing has become a dying breed in recent years. Relationships such as Lott’s and Daschle’s are very seldom today. Sure, they have political differences, and you will have that on any level of government. However, it is a disservice to the citizens when government is divisive and there is an unwillingness to work together, whether at the local, state or federal levels. There has never been anything positive that came out of an arrogant and polarizing atmosphere.
Here on the state level, there is so much good work that could be achieved from improvements in education, health care and infrastructure by simply working together. With good, sound legislation, no party needs a supermajority and bipartisanship helps restore faith in government.
A public servant should demonstrate the way Lott and Daschle did: never compromise your principles but be willing to listen and work across the aisle for the common good. The goal is for policy that is in the best interest of the people, whether it is making better sidewalks on the municipal level or balancing the budget on the state level. It all starts with bipartisanship, and we need more of it.
• Ken Strachan is a former Carroll County coroner and former mayor of North Carrollton. He works in the funeral industry.
