Just About 2 Years Ago ...

It was just about this time, early in 2006, when Bill Frist had the Republican majority clamoring about suspending the 200 year old Senate operating procedures to make it such that it would only take 51 votes instead of 60 votes to pass legislation. Those rules had been in place a long time and many leaders with less than 60 votes were able to 'cross the aisle' and work with the opposition to achieve progress.

History, for example, indicates that Lyndon Johnson and Everett Dirksen where respectful adversaries that developed a personal rapport that helped them come to agreement. (You may use this link: http://www.kansaspress.ku.edu/huleve.html.) Words or terms that were heard were 'statesman, log rolling, crossing the aisle, negotiation', etc. These indicated that neither side totally 'got their way' and both sides won some progress.

Well, the Democrat leaders are now in the Frist shoes. How would the public feel if, again, we heard rumblings of suspending the rules?

I hope that NEITHER party ever decides to depart from the 60-40 rules the Senate has used for over 200 years. I would rather that BOTH parties identify and elect statesmen (and women) to the houses of Congress. Instead of 'My way or the highway,' we should be hearing cooperate, collaborate, progress, and advance.

Just a thought. Try it on. And ... Where is Frist now?

Finally, Senators, Members of Congress, grow up because you are working on our dime.

jb