See Original Post

On May 21, I had a chance to attend Wisconsin State Senator Kreitlow's listening session at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire. A number of topics were brought up by constituents--gas prices, railway transportation, higher education, healthcare, the Iraq War, farming, etc. But the topic of most importance to me--as a UW-Madison student--was NOT sky-rocketing tuition or universal healthcare; instead, I was most interested in bipartisanship. We will only see effective policies implemented if our elected officials commit to working across party lines.

As a first term Senator, I hope Senator Kreitlow is committed to finding real solutions during this partisan age. Admittedly, his positions are often along party lines. Nonetheless, throughout the listening session, Kreitlow talked about the need for compromise and respecting the views of people you may not agree with.

As I listened to Senator Kreitlow, I couldn't help but think about State Representative Musser--a Republican of Black River Falls--who will not be seeking re-election because he is "fed up" with the partisan ways that have come to dominate politics.

The Capital Times reported:

After 24 years in the Assembly State Rep. Terry M. Musser, R-Black River Falls, will not seek re-election this fall, saying he is "fed up" with how "nasty" politics have become in the state.

"The last straw was the personal attacks I received in (Assembly Republican) caucus on the compassionate care bill. Before then I was thinking I may be giving it one more term, but not after that," Musser said from his Capitol office Wednesday.

. . .

The senior ranking Republican in the Assembly said he has had enough of the political battleground where adherence to ideology makes collegiality nearly impossible. Instead, he will retire to his Jackson County farm where his cows give him fewer problems, he said.

"I think the people of Wisconsin appreciate bipartisanship; that's what was needed in the last two budget bills, but too many people in this puzzle palace think that's a sign of weakness. I've never understood that, so it's time to go back to my cows who are much more reasonable," he said.

As retired members of the Legislature have said, Musser said he remembers when legislators could debate a bill on the Assembly floor and then go out have a drink with them. But now that friendship doesn't even carry over from his own Republican caucus when he on the other side of a debate.

"I was shocked at the venom in our closed caucuses I knew it would be rough, but the personal attacks in the caucuses just blows my mind," he said.

. . .

"For years I've tried 'working across the aisle' but it seems like there are too many now that only talk about it but don't do it. Now, it's 'my way or the highway,'" he said.

It is interesting that the extreme attacks that Assembly Representative felt were from within his own party. At a time when Wisconsinites are demanding solutions from their leaders, political parties are continuing to entrench themselves in ideologies.

Old timers, like Representative Musser, seem to always remember the good ol' days of politics--when ideological and political differences existed, but when compromises where still made. Where have these good ol' days gone? I'm far to young--at 23 years old--to remember an era that existed without 24-hour-news-shows and talk-radio-line-ups that epitomize partisan bickering. Today, compromises are more often portrayed as signs of weakness or acts of betrayal.

In his book The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama also addresses the idea of vehement partisanship. Americans--and Wisconsinites--have the right to demand solutions from their leaders. They have a right to demand that compromises be made to find those solutions. I firmly believe that we need more Freshman Senators who are committed to a new kind of politics that produces results.

As a side note, I will be trying my hardest in this blog to keep talks of politics away from personal attacks. I understand that my views and opinions may, at times, appear partisan. However, this does not mean that I am not willing to listen to the other side; it does not mean that I am not willing to concede my position to a better one; and, it does not mean that I would not seek compromise. Instead of attacking the opposite party, I will use this blog as a way to combat something more important--Mainstream Media (See Post: "I LOVE/HATE the Mainstream Media").