Originally published in the January 8, 2014, print edition of the Times of Trenton
Chris Christie famously called out fellow Republicans in 2013, saying the party is not a debating society and needs to do more than enforce artificially pure ideology within its ranks. To win nationally, it needs to govern and to effect viable policies that actually serve the real-life interests of real people. In December, Speaker of the House John Boehner lashed out at the “outside groups” that have been working to subvert the effectiveness of the Congress, criticizing their tactics, such as pushing for a government shutdown even they did not believe would lead to a constructive outcome.
The country is tired of factional obsessions and counterproductive backbiting. There are real problems that require cooperative solutions, where public servants need to work together regardless of ideology, party or media pressures. While ideologues in Washington fight over competing definitions of “market dynamics,” millions of families are running out of opportunity, running out of food assistance, running out of unemployment benefits. Schools continue to face punitive funding overhauls, and cities are faced with irrational cuts to public safety and parks and recreation programs that make our communities safer and more livable.
Continue reading “Op-Ed: In 2014, we need non-ideological problem-solvers to lead our political fortunes in a new direction”