Too many games played over budget
By: U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis
Published: December 14, 2007
The Tennessean

I am dismayed by the political gamesmanship and gotcha politics in Washington today. In many ways, this is nothing new for Washington, but we must start working toward a bipartisan solution that clearly addresses the agenda of the American people.

Important legislation, including nearly ever appropriations package, is being held hostage by political partisans looking to gain leverage among their Washington friends. This administration, and many of its stalwart supporters, has dug in its heels against crucial bills. It is my hope that we can begin the work of repairing relationships across the aisle and complete the work that we have been sent to Washington to do.

The American people are aware of the historic growth in our national debt over the past six years and the borrow-and-spend policies that got us there. This must change. If we are to put this great nation back on the path to fiscal responsibility, we should start by maintaining our support for "pay as you go" rules.

We can bridge the divide

There are some who would say that President Bush is not interested in working with the Democratic leadership, but I believe that we can yet bridge the divide between our parties. There are growing signs that both sides in Congress are willing to come to the table and discuss our spending priorities.

While in the midst of passing landmark civil rights legislation that would serve as the hallmark of his administration, President Lyndon B. Johnson called on the Congress to pass "an American bill, passed by Americans," asking "men of both parties to help us do that." I believe there is wisdom in the president's remark. The end of the political games will come when a few brave Republicans and Democrats break from entrenched partisanship and agree that it is the children, working families, and national security that will suffer from partisan obstructionism. I hope that Democratic and Republican leadership will come to the table and be willing to listen to any proposals to move the agenda of the American people forward. We must reach across the aisle, as well as to the White House.

President Clinton entered office on Jan. 20, 1993, saying "there is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." In that inaugural address, just one year before the Republican Party took power in the so-called "Republican Revolution," President Clinton pledged "an end to the era of deadlock and drift, and a new season of American renewal."

Despite an opposition Congress, President Clinton went on to pass landmark reforms that would move this country forward. Despite opposition parties in the Congress and the White House, I firmly believe we can do this again today.

In the end, history will not remember the successes of congressional Democrats or Republicans, because the legacy of this great nation does not belong to any one political party. It will judge us for the work we do to make America stronger, and make government work better for all of us.