Pruning Shears

Karl Rove has resigned with the intention of “spending more time with his family.”  And there is a certain kind of politician who needs to quit their political life in the interests of family — specifically, the disgraced kind.

Like any paranoid liberal, I found myself wondering “uh oh, NOW what’s he up to?”  But irrespective of Rove’s future political life, I think a pause in the interests of healthy reflection would be appropriate.

For all of Rove’s talk about a “permanent Republican majority,” he managed to accomplish exactly the opposite of what he had intended.  The Rovian modus operendi, carried out by Bush, Cheney, Hastert, DeLay, Frist and others was to strive to acheive a 51% legislative majority by any means necessary, then execute the law like a battering ram on the strength of “political capital.”  And when I am completely honest with myself, I think - in the wake of 9/11 and the Democratic swing of the 1990’s - they would have been highly successful with their policy aims if they had not been such bullies about it.

So as a progressive, maybe I should send them each a “thank-you” note…

So to future elected officials, please take home a clear lesson:  Nobody wants to be goverened this way.  This style of governance only empowers your adversaries.  Comporomise is part of healthy government.  This does not mean “compromise your principles,” but “keep your enemies close” — and above all, try to find common ground.

The last six years have politically been a nightmare.  I feel like I’ve had a concussion.  But I can’t help but be an optimist.  I am excited for the future.  But we must be vigilant.

I expect we’ll be seeing a bit more of Karl in the future - and maybe from the wrong end of a subpoena.  But till then, let’s keep slogging.  It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a-comin’!

mark