Yesterday, at a kickoff for political pundits Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein’s new book “The Broken Branch,” former Speakers of the House Thomas Foley and Newt Gingrich spoke on the dreadful state of Congress. Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank wrote “The Ex-Speakers Speak With One Voice on the Sorry State of Congress,” about the event.
Gingrich said: "Congress really has to think about how fundamentally wrong the current system is." And when considering foreign and domestic issues, he noted, "it's important to have an informed, independent legislative branch coming to grips with this reality and not sitting around waiting for 'presidential leadership.' "
Foley agreed with Gingrich: "If I didn't have a somewhat long history with Newt Gingrich... I would listen to what he had said if he were a candidate for Congress and say, 'I think I'll vote for this guy.' I think he's absolutely dead right in his diagnosis of what's happening to this country and to the Congress."
According to Gingrish and Foley, here are the symptoms that are ailing Congress:
“...collapse of committee deliberations, the demise of oversight of the executive branch, the loss of the ‘regular order’ of rules for debate and legislation, a runaway spending process, and a shrinking legislative calendar.”
Gingrish and Foley believe these are the causes of the Congresses sorry state of affairs:
“...gerrymandered districts, travel and fundraising needs keeping lawmakers away from Washington, the loss of centrists in both parties, quickening news cycles and the reliance on lobbyist-raised cash.”
And although both agreed that they have no “silver bullet,” they did offer these solutions:
“Restore committee power to write laws, ban fundraising in Washington, abolish lawmakers' political action committees, end spending ‘earmarks’ and enforce the rules that guide the legislative process."
Gingrich provided historical context to the division: "I believe we are drifting into a cycle where the challenges we face are a greater mismatch with our potential solutions than any time since April of 1861.” Foley concluded that, “If the Congress fails, democracy fails.”
Gingrich gave this message to the American people: "The correct answer is for the American people to just start firing people.” Gingrich “had some pithy advice for lawmakers" too: "My answer to them is 'Go home.' "
No solution will come from the Congress – not even from a new Congress. Only the people can cause genuine change – and that can only happen by changing the leadership style of Washington.
That is what Unity08 is all about. Give Washington a powerful lesson in leadership through a Unity Team in the White House – and the Congress will change its ways. Give them evidence the people want crucial issues resolved, and Washington will be a different place. As always, the people are the founding fathers. That means you.
Continue to talk more about these issues and others in our Shoutbox.
